Neptune among the Sea Centaurs
Plaquette
ca. 1510 (made)
ca. 1510 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Sand casting used moulds of highly compacted, fine sand held in a frame. It was a less expensive method of casting suited to the multiple production of simple objects such as plaquettes and bells. In the 19th century, however, a more sophisticated technique was developed for the serial production of sculptural bronzes. Some artists rebelled against this, favouring instead the traditional method of lost-wax casting. This plaquette was sand cast. The raised lines on the back show where the sprues were placed so that the molten metal could flow through the mould. The metal has not quite reached every part, leaving holes or ‘casting flaws’ in the bronze. This plaquette could possibly have been part of a casket.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Neptune among the Sea Centaurs (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Bronze in relief, sand cast |
Brief description | Bronze plaquette, depicting Neptune among the Sea Centaurs, North Italy, ca. 1510 |
Physical description | Bronze plaquette, depicting a classical subject in relief, Neptune seated in a chariot drawn by two sea horses, with attendant Tritons etc. On the reverse side are two lateral broad runners with five diagonal cross sprues. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | Given by M. H. de Lasalle |
Object history | Historical significance: This plaquette is evidently by the same hand as a plaquette at Berlin K.F.M. 536 (857) with the Triumph of Neptune and Amphitrite. The Berlin plaquette has a moulded border, but is apart from this of similar dimensions and may have formed part of the same casket. (The Berlin catalogue refers to such a casket in the von Kaufmann sale, Auktionskatalog, iii (1917), No. 176). It is ascribed to an imitator of Mantegna working ca. 1510. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | Sand casting used moulds of highly compacted, fine sand held in a frame. It was a less expensive method of casting suited to the multiple production of simple objects such as plaquettes and bells. In the 19th century, however, a more sophisticated technique was developed for the serial production of sculptural bronzes. Some artists rebelled against this, favouring instead the traditional method of lost-wax casting. This plaquette was sand cast. The raised lines on the back show where the sprues were placed so that the molten metal could flow through the mould. The metal has not quite reached every part, leaving holes or ‘casting flaws’ in the bronze. This plaquette could possibly have been part of a casket. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 7533-1860 |
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Record created | August 31, 2004 |
Record URL |
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