Not currently on display at the V&A

Mucius Scaevola

Plaquette
ca. 1530-1560 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown (maker)
Place of origin
Germany (made)

This is a bronze plaquette made in Germany in about 1530-1560. The plaquette represents Mucius Scaevola before Porsenna. Mucius Scaevola, a young Roman, unsuccessfully attempted to kill the Etruscan King Porsena. When seized, he thrust his hand into the altar fire to shows how cheaply he held his life. Impressed by his courage, Porsena set him free.


Object details

Categories
Coins & Medals
Sculpture
Plaques & Plaquettes
Myths & Legends
Object type
Plaquette
TitleMucius Scaevola (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Bronze
Brief description
Plaquette, bronze, Mucius Scaevola before King Porsena, Germany, ca. 1530-1560
Physical description
Bronze plaquette depicting Mucius Scaevola before King Porsena in low relief.
Dimensions
  • Height: 2.8cm
  • Length: 7cm
Object history
Formerly in the Tross Collection. 140 medals and reliefs were purchased from M. Henri Tross of Paris for £500 by J.C. Robinson for the Museum in 1867.
Historical context
Mucius Scaevola, a young Roman, unsuccessfully attempted to king the Etruscan King Porsena. When seized, he thrust his hand into the altar fire to show how cheaply he held his life. Impressed by his courage, Porsena set him free.
Subjects depicted
Soldier
King
Mucius Scaevola
King Porsena
Summary
This is a bronze plaquette made in Germany in about 1530-1560. The plaquette represents Mucius Scaevola before Porsenna. Mucius Scaevola, a young Roman, unsuccessfully attempted to kill the Etruscan King Porsena. When seized, he thrust his hand into the altar fire to shows how cheaply he held his life. Impressed by his courage, Porsena set him free.
Bibliographic references
  • Inventory of Art Objects acquired in the Year 1867. Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol. 1. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 26
  • Weber, I. Deutsche, Niederländische, und Französische Renaissance Plaketten. Munich, 1975, cat. no. 82
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
193-1867

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Record createdOctober 15, 2004
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O106375/mucius-scaevola-plaquette-unknown/
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