The Rape of the Sabines
Plaquette
1500-1540 (made)
1500-1540 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Plaquettes are small plaques made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440s with the desire to reproduce coins and hardstone engravings from ancient Greece and Rome. Some were made as collector’s pieces, to be viewed and displayed in private, and others for practical purposes. They also inspired designs in other media, from architecture to bookbindings. Bernardi moved from Ferrara to Rome in 1530. He worked primarily for the cardinal and papal courts and became known as an engraver of rock crystals. Many of his plaquettes are based on these carvings. This example was taken from a crystal plaque in the collection of Cardinal Ippolito de’ Medici.
The Rape of the Sabines is a legend in the early history of Rome. According to that Romulus, the founder of the city, used a trick to secure the future population of Rome. He organised a festival where the neighbouring inhabitants were invited, including the Sabines along with their wives and children. At a certain signal Rome's young men went into the crowd and carried away the unmarried wives. Plutarch has described to this legend the origin of the custom of lifting up a bride and carrying her over the doorstep of her husband's house.
The Rape of the Sabines is a legend in the early history of Rome. According to that Romulus, the founder of the city, used a trick to secure the future population of Rome. He organised a festival where the neighbouring inhabitants were invited, including the Sabines along with their wives and children. At a certain signal Rome's young men went into the crowd and carried away the unmarried wives. Plutarch has described to this legend the origin of the custom of lifting up a bride and carrying her over the doorstep of her husband's house.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | The Rape of the Sabines (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Bronze |
Brief description | Plaquette, bronze by Giovanni Bernardi, Italy, 1500-40 |
Physical description | Five Sabine Women are being seized by armed Romans, five more of whom appear behind. In the background are three towers. Signed in the exergue: IOAN.DE.CASTRO BON. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | IOAN.DE.CASTRO BON (Signed in the exergue) |
Object history | Acquired in Florence for 8s, in 1861. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | Plaquettes are small plaques made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440s with the desire to reproduce coins and hardstone engravings from ancient Greece and Rome. Some were made as collector’s pieces, to be viewed and displayed in private, and others for practical purposes. They also inspired designs in other media, from architecture to bookbindings. Bernardi moved from Ferrara to Rome in 1530. He worked primarily for the cardinal and papal courts and became known as an engraver of rock crystals. Many of his plaquettes are based on these carvings. This example was taken from a crystal plaque in the collection of Cardinal Ippolito de’ Medici. The Rape of the Sabines is a legend in the early history of Rome. According to that Romulus, the founder of the city, used a trick to secure the future population of Rome. He organised a festival where the neighbouring inhabitants were invited, including the Sabines along with their wives and children. At a certain signal Rome's young men went into the crowd and carried away the unmarried wives. Plutarch has described to this legend the origin of the custom of lifting up a bride and carrying her over the doorstep of her husband's house. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 7380-1861 |
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Record created | May 10, 2005 |
Record URL |
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