Not currently on display at the V&A

Picture

ca. 1800 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The subject of this micromosaic is unusual. While vases were popular motifs on miniature micromosaics, this is the only known example of a large-scale depiction of a Greek red-figure vase from Attica.

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
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Picture
  • Frame
Materials and techniques
Glass micromosaic and marble with gilded wood frame.
Brief description
Picture of Attic red figure vase. Micromosaic, Rome, ca.1800.
Physical description
Rectangular brown and white marble plaque set with a black marble oval and an oval micromosaic depicting an Attic red-figure vase in profile. On the body of the vase are three red figures in white robes. The central figure, a youth in frontal view, holds a staff and stands between two female figures one of whom holds a thyrsus over her shoulder. The mosaic and the marble are set in a white marble frame with gilt beading.
Dimensions
  • Height: 37.5cm
  • Width: 29cm
  • Depth: 3.5cm
Gallery label
Attic vase About 1800 The subject of this mocromosaic is unusual. While vases were popular motifs on miniature micromosaics, this is the only known example of a large-scale depiction of a Greek red-figure vase from Attica. Rome, Italy Glass micromosaic with marble frame Museum no. Loan: Gilbert.223:1,2-2008(2009)
Credit line
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Object history
Provenance: Partridge Fine Art, 12/08/1996.

Historical significance: The composition of the Attic vase is no a copy of a known original but rather an imitation of the type although the figure on the right does bear some resemblance to the Greek vase artist known as the 'Meidas Painter'.
Historical context
The neoclassical subject and the two dimensional image on a solid ground suggest an early date. The representation of an Attic, red-figure, volute krater (a large antique vase with tall decorative handles that end in volutes) is unique in the field of micromosaics. The vase shown dates from 400-450 BC.
Summary
The subject of this micromosaic is unusual. While vases were popular motifs on miniature micromosaics, this is the only known example of a large-scale depiction of a Greek red-figure vase from Attica.

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.
Other numbers
  • MM 310 - Arthur Gilbert Number
  • MM 2 - Arthur Gilbert Number
Collection
Accession number
LOAN:GILBERT.223:1, 2-2008

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 26, 2008
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest