Not currently on display at the V&A

Medaillon Plaque

15th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Italy (made)

This medallion plaque, by an unknown artist, from the 15th century in Italy, depicts tritons and sea nymphs. It is has a nereid border and in the centre is a horseman.

In Greek mythology, the Nereids are the 50 sea nymphs, daughters of Nereus and Doris.

It has been suggested that the central figure is imitated from Leonardo da Vinci's sketch for the Sforza monument.


Object details

Categories
Coins & Medals
Myths & Legends
Sculpture
Object type
Medaillon plaque
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Bronze
Brief description
Medallion Plaque, bronze, Italy, 15th century
Physical description
Bronze. Circular. Tritons and sea nymphs. Pierced for use as a sword-guard and the central panel of a horseman with a fallen foe has been cut away.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 5.72cm
Marks and inscriptions
Tritons and sea nymphs. Pierced.
Object history
It has been suggested that the central figure is imitated from Leonardo da Vinci's sketch for the Sforza monument.
Subjects depicted
Tritons
Nymphs
Summary
This medallion plaque, by an unknown artist, from the 15th century in Italy, depicts tritons and sea nymphs. It is has a nereid border and in the centre is a horseman.

In Greek mythology, the Nereids are the 50 sea nymphs, daughters of Nereus and Doris.

It has been suggested that the central figure is imitated from Leonardo da Vinci's sketch for the Sforza monument.
Bibliographic references
  • Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1854. In: Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, Arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol I. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 17.
  • Pope-Hennessy, John. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection. Reliefs - Plaquettes - Statuettes - Utensils and Mortars . London: 1965, p. 37, no. 113, fig. 142.
  • Maclagan, Eric. Catalogue of Italian Plaquettes . London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1924, p. 59.
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
522-1854

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Record createdApril 10, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O152493/medaillon-plaque-unknown/
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