Cupid playing a harp
Statuette
early 17th century (made)
early 17th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a gilt bronze statuette made in the early 17th century Italy. The statuette represents Cupid playing on a harp and was originally part of the mounts or metal enrichments of a piece of furniture.
This statuette belongs to a group of putti, seven of which are in the V&A collection, mostly holding flutes, harps, tambourines and violins in their hands. They are generally attributed to Nicolò Roccatagliata (active about 1593-1636), although similar pieces were also produced in the workshops of Giuseppe de Levis and Andrea di Alessandro del Brescianino. However, the excellent quality of the cast and gilding, as well as the delicately chiselled drapery, hair and wings, allow us to ascribe them to the studio of Roccatagliata.
The majority of these small bronzes were probably made to decorate chairs, wardrobes and other pieces of furniture, as embellishments of this type were extremely popular at the end of the sixteenth century.
This statuette belongs to a group of putti, seven of which are in the V&A collection, mostly holding flutes, harps, tambourines and violins in their hands. They are generally attributed to Nicolò Roccatagliata (active about 1593-1636), although similar pieces were also produced in the workshops of Giuseppe de Levis and Andrea di Alessandro del Brescianino. However, the excellent quality of the cast and gilding, as well as the delicately chiselled drapery, hair and wings, allow us to ascribe them to the studio of Roccatagliata.
The majority of these small bronzes were probably made to decorate chairs, wardrobes and other pieces of furniture, as embellishments of this type were extremely popular at the end of the sixteenth century.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Cupid playing a harp (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Gilt bronze |
| Brief description | Statuette, gilt bronze, Cupid playing a harp, ascribed to Nicolò Roccatagliata, Italy, early 17th century |
| Physical description | Bronze gilt, a Cupid playing on a harp. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Bought from the Soulages Collection for 16s. 8d. in 1865. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This is a gilt bronze statuette made in the early 17th century Italy. The statuette represents Cupid playing on a harp and was originally part of the mounts or metal enrichments of a piece of furniture. This statuette belongs to a group of putti, seven of which are in the V&A collection, mostly holding flutes, harps, tambourines and violins in their hands. They are generally attributed to Nicolò Roccatagliata (active about 1593-1636), although similar pieces were also produced in the workshops of Giuseppe de Levis and Andrea di Alessandro del Brescianino. However, the excellent quality of the cast and gilding, as well as the delicately chiselled drapery, hair and wings, allow us to ascribe them to the studio of Roccatagliata. The majority of these small bronzes were probably made to decorate chairs, wardrobes and other pieces of furniture, as embellishments of this type were extremely popular at the end of the sixteenth century. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 603-1865 |
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| Record created | April 29, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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