Peace
Plaquette
first half 16th century (made)
first half 16th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This circular plaquette depicting a seated female figure is made by Valerio Belli in the first half of the 16th century.
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 1440s 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 1440s 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 | Peace (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Cast bronze |
Brief description | Plaquette, bronze, 'Peace', by Valerio Belli, north Italy, first half of 16th century |
Physical description | Circular Plaquette, depicts: a draped female figure seated resting her right elbow on a shield and holding a cornucopia; with her left hand she applies a lighted torch to a heap of arms and armour; the seat upon which she sits is inscribed VA . VI . F. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | 'VAL . VIN.' (signed on the seat) |
Object history | Acquired in London. |
Historical context | The figure is almost identical with the figure of Peace in the plaquette of Peace and Wealth by Belli. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This circular plaquette depicting a seated female figure is made by Valerio Belli in the first half of the 16th century. 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 1440s 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 | 956-1904 |
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Record created | December 10, 2008 |
Record URL |
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