An Antique Sacrifice
Plaquette
first half of 16th century (made)
first half of 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This oval bronze plaquette depicting an antique sacrifice is made by Valerio Belli in the first half of the 16th century. Apparently moulded from an impression of a crystal engraved in imitation of the antique.
Belli (1468-1546) was born into a respected Vicentine family. He trained as a goldsmith and developed considerable skills in engraving crystals and dies. For Pope Clement VII he created his masterpiece, a crystal casket with 24 scenes from the life of Christ, now in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence.
Belli was strongly influenced by Raphael and Michelangelo.
He had a facility to work very quickly, and Vasari noted that Belli had flooded the world with his works.
Plaquettes are small plaques made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440ies with the desire to reproduce coins and hardstone engravings from ancient Greece and Rome. Some were made as collector's pieces, to be viewed and displayed in private, and others for practical purposes. They also inspired designs in other media, from architecture to bookbindings.
Belli (1468-1546) was born into a respected Vicentine family. He trained as a goldsmith and developed considerable skills in engraving crystals and dies. For Pope Clement VII he created his masterpiece, a crystal casket with 24 scenes from the life of Christ, now in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence.
Belli was strongly influenced by Raphael and Michelangelo.
He had a facility to work very quickly, and Vasari noted that Belli had flooded the world with his works.
Plaquettes are small plaques made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440ies with the desire to reproduce coins and hardstone engravings from ancient Greece and Rome. Some were made as collector's pieces, to be viewed and displayed in private, and others for practical purposes. They also inspired designs in other media, from architecture to bookbindings.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | An Antique Sacrifice (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Cast bronze |
| Brief description | Plaquette, bronze, an Antique Sacrifice, by Valerio Belli, Italy, first half of 16th century |
| Physical description | Plaquette depicts: on the left is a half-draped seated figure of a priestess who places a snake upon a cylindrical altar with her left hand; in the background are two female attendants. Signed in the exergue |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Acquired in London. |
| Historical context | Apparently moulded from an impression of a crystal engraved in imitation of the antique. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This oval bronze plaquette depicting an antique sacrifice is made by Valerio Belli in the first half of the 16th century. Apparently moulded from an impression of a crystal engraved in imitation of the antique. Belli (1468-1546) was born into a respected Vicentine family. He trained as a goldsmith and developed considerable skills in engraving crystals and dies. For Pope Clement VII he created his masterpiece, a crystal casket with 24 scenes from the life of Christ, now in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence. Belli was strongly influenced by Raphael and Michelangelo. He had a facility to work very quickly, and Vasari noted that Belli had flooded the world with his works. Plaquettes are small plaques made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440ies with the desire to reproduce coins and hardstone engravings from ancient Greece and Rome. Some were made as collector's pieces, to be viewed and displayed in private, and others for practical purposes. They also inspired designs in other media, from architecture to bookbindings. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 955-1904 |
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| Record created | December 5, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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