Not currently on display at the V&A

The Judgement of Solomon

Picture
1818 (made)
Artist/Maker
Scalabrino, Fernando (maker)
Place of origin
Naples (made)

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.


Object details

Object type
Picture
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Picture
  • Frame
TitleThe Judgement of Solomon (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Micromosaic, gilt wooden frame
Mosaic Glass
Gold
Wood
Micromosaic
Gilding
Framing
Brief description
Micromosaic picture - The Judgement of Solomon, Naples, Fernando Scalabrino, 1818.
Physical description
Rectangular glass micromosaic depicting eleven figures in an elaborate room. King Solomon wearing a purple robe and gold chain is seated on a gold throne, extending his left hand. To his left and right are robed men and soldiers. Behind them is an arched portico open to the sky. In the central foreground a man with a sword appears to strike the infant. A woman kneels before him and on his right are two more female figures.
Mosaic in slate surround on copper support
Dimensions
  • Copper support height: 21.6cm
  • Width: 33cm
  • Cooper support width: 33.4cm
  • Mosaic surface height: 20.6cm
  • Mosaic surface width: 32.2cm
  • Frame height: 33cm (Note: Measured by Issy Warnham 14/12/23)
  • Frame width: 44.5cm (Note: Measured by Issy Warnham 14/12/23)
Marks and inscriptions
FERD.SCALABRINO.F[ecit].IN.NAPOLI.1818 (on lower right of mosaic)
Translation
Fernando Scalabrino made this in Naples. 1818
Credit line
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Object history
Provenance: Petochi and Gorevic, Rome, 1983.
Subjects depicted
Religion (Concept)
Maternity
Mother and Children
King Solomon
Summary
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Bibliographic references
  • Alfieri, Massimo, Maria Grazia Branchetti and Guido Cornini. Mosaici Minuti Romani del 700 et dell'800. Exhibition catalogue. Rome: Edizioni del mosaico, 1986, fig.
  • Gabriel, Jeanette Hanisee with contributions by Anna Maria Massinelli and essays by Judy Rudoe and Massimo Alfieri. Micromosaics: The Gilbert Collection. London: Philip Wilson Publishers Ltd. in association with The Gilbert Collection, 2000. 310 p., ill. Cat. no. 48, p. 104-105. ISBN 0856675113.
Other number
MM 273 - Arthur Gilbert Number
Collection
Metalwork Collection
Accession number
LOAN:GILBERT.124:1-2008

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Record createdJune 26, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O157776/the-judgement-of-solomon-picture-scalabrino-fernando/
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