The Seven Cardinal Virtues and Pope Innocent XI
Box
ca. 1679 - ca. 1689 (made)
ca. 1679 - ca. 1689 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This ivory box was probably made in the late 17th century in the Netherlands or Italy. It is cylindrical and shows in high relief under low canopies the Seven Cardinal Virtues. The bottom of the box is made of a thin medallion of ivory with a portrait of Pope Innocent XI, who was Pope from 1676 to 1688. This is likely to have been made on a turning machine, and the portrait is probably based on a bronze medal by Giovanni Hamerani (1646-1705) of ca. 1679. Its shape and the figurative elements suggest it may have been used to hold unconsecrated wafers, as was suggested when it was first acquired. The medallion appears to form part of an ensemble, although may conceivably have been married up with the box at a later date.
An inked inscription on the bottom of the medallion reads, 'Der Cabinet de Mr. de Bruges', which may denote its provenance. The figures are also reminiscent of the work of François Du Quesnoy.
An inked inscription on the bottom of the medallion reads, 'Der Cabinet de Mr. de Bruges', which may denote its provenance. The figures are also reminiscent of the work of François Du Quesnoy.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
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| Title | The Seven Cardinal Virtues and Pope Innocent XI (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved ivory with metal lining, and linen edging (possibly later) |
| Brief description | Box, cylindrical in ivory, depicting the seven cardinal virtues, Italian or Netherlands, ca. 1679-89 |
| Physical description | Cylindrical ivory box carved in low relief with femqale figures representing the seven cardinal virtues beneath an arcade. They are identified in ink on the metal mount of the base, with inscriptions in some places rubbed and incomplete. On the base is a medallion that depicts Pope Innocent XI (Benedetto Odesalchi) in bust profile with a beard, wearing his papal tiara and vestments. Inscribed. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | Bought for £48 in 1867 from the Webb Collection.; perhaps formerly in Bruges. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This ivory box was probably made in the late 17th century in the Netherlands or Italy. It is cylindrical and shows in high relief under low canopies the Seven Cardinal Virtues. The bottom of the box is made of a thin medallion of ivory with a portrait of Pope Innocent XI, who was Pope from 1676 to 1688. This is likely to have been made on a turning machine, and the portrait is probably based on a bronze medal by Giovanni Hamerani (1646-1705) of ca. 1679. Its shape and the figurative elements suggest it may have been used to hold unconsecrated wafers, as was suggested when it was first acquired. The medallion appears to form part of an ensemble, although may conceivably have been married up with the box at a later date. An inked inscription on the bottom of the medallion reads, 'Der Cabinet de Mr. de Bruges', which may denote its provenance. The figures are also reminiscent of the work of François Du Quesnoy. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 289:3-1867 |
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| Record created | August 22, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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