Portion of a pilaster thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Medieval & Renaissance, Room 64, The Wolfson Gallery

Portion of a pilaster

Pilaster
1500-1600 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This relief displays features derived from ancient Roman sculpture. Carved stone vases survived in significant numbers in Italy and were often put to use as garden ornaments. Lion’s paw feet could be seen supporting the bases of ancient sculptures, while other Roman motifs include the fish and the candelabrum.


Object details

Category
Object type
TitlePortion of a pilaster
Materials and techniques
Terracotta
Brief description
Pilaster, military trophy, gorgons
Physical description
Portion of a pilaster in terracotta, decorated in relief with a military trophy. In front of a shield are two other crossed shields, which support a helmet with a sphinx forming the crest. Behind them are two crossed swords and arrows. The front of one of the shields is ornamented with a Gorgon's head amid floral scrolls and the other is decorated with tridents.
Dimensions
  • Height: 55cm
  • Width: 36.3cm
  • Depth: 5cm
Measured for the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries
Subjects depicted
Summary
This relief displays features derived from ancient Roman sculpture. Carved stone vases survived in significant numbers in Italy and were often put to use as garden ornaments. Lion’s paw feet could be seen supporting the bases of ancient sculptures, while other Roman motifs include the fish and the candelabrum.
Bibliographic reference
List of Objects in the Art Division South Kensington Museum acquired during the Year 1892. Arranged according to the dates of acquisition, with appendix and indices. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1893. pp. 66
Collection
Accession number
488-1892

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Record createdNovember 24, 2008
Record URL
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