King Charles II (1630-1685) thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

King Charles II (1630-1685)

Medallion
ca. 1660 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
London (made)

Although purchased as a portrait of Louis XIV, and considered to be French, the portrait resembles King Charles II of England. Comparison with the softer, smoother style seen in Mollart's ivory portrait of the French monarch (V&A Mus. No. A.44-1935) suggests moreover that the present piece represents the English King. It may have been carved by a Netherlandish sculptor probably working in London rather than France, perhaps at the time of the Restoration.


Object details

Categories
Sculpture
Medallions
Reliefs
Royalty
Portraits
Object type
Medallion
TitleKing Charles II (1630-1685) (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved ivory in relief
Ivory
Carving
Relief
Brief description
Medallion, ivory, portrait of King Charles II, by an unknown artist probably from Netherlands, produced in Britain, ca. 1660
Physical description
The bust relief portrait on this oval medallion shows the king facing right, with long flowing hair, crowned with a laurel wreath. He wears fantastic armour with a lion mask pauldron visible on the right shoulder, and an elaborately draped cloak.
Dimensions
  • Height: 10cm
  • Width: 6.5cm
Object history
Purchased in London for £23 from Alfred Spero in 1932.
Subject depicted
Charles II
Summary
Although purchased as a portrait of Louis XIV, and considered to be French, the portrait resembles King Charles II of England. Comparison with the softer, smoother style seen in Mollart's ivory portrait of the French monarch (V&A Mus. No. A.44-1935) suggests moreover that the present piece represents the English King. It may have been carved by a Netherlandish sculptor probably working in London rather than France, perhaps at the time of the Restoration.
Bibliographic references
  • Friedman, T. 'Cavalier's Charles II on Horseback.' Leeds Art Calendar. no. 88, 1981, p. 11 and fig. 6
  • Review [1911-1938], Victoria & Albert Museum. Review of the Principal Acquisitions during the Year, London, 1932, p. 10
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013, cat. no. 122
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.6-1932

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Record createdMarch 5, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O198315/king-charles-ii-1630-1685-medallion-unknown/
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