Chimneypiece
ca. 1550 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This chimney-piece is made in the style of Giorgio Vasari in Florence in ca. 1550.
The piece bears the arms of the family of Barbolani di Montauto, who originated from Arezzo but owned several palaces in Florence. The Latin inscription on the lintel means 'whatever you do, do it wisely and bear in mind the outcome'.
The style of architecture recalls that of several similar fireplaces in the Casa Vasari, the house of the famous painter and biographer Giorgio Vasari, at Arezzo, and we know from Vasari's correspondence that he had a warm friendship with several members of the Barbolani family. The chimney piece may therefore be made from one of his designs. This shallow design of chimney piece was known as 'alla Romana' or Roman style.
The piece bears the arms of the family of Barbolani di Montauto, who originated from Arezzo but owned several palaces in Florence. The Latin inscription on the lintel means 'whatever you do, do it wisely and bear in mind the outcome'.
The style of architecture recalls that of several similar fireplaces in the Casa Vasari, the house of the famous painter and biographer Giorgio Vasari, at Arezzo, and we know from Vasari's correspondence that he had a warm friendship with several members of the Barbolani family. The chimney piece may therefore be made from one of his designs. This shallow design of chimney piece was known as 'alla Romana' or Roman style.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 34 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Carved grey sandstone (pietra serena) |
| Brief description | Chimney piece, pietra serena, in the style of Giorgio Vasari, Italy (Florence), ca. 1550 |
| Physical description | This chimney-piece rests on jambs carved with interlaced chainwork ornament supporting two small consoles. The frieze above is incised with foliated ornament and two birds flanking a central wreath. Inside the latter is carved an eagle statant, on an arched fesse. Above the frieze and beneath the enriched cornice is the inscription QVID. QVID. AGIS. PRVDENTER. AGAS. RESPICE. FINEM. Outside the jambs on the plane of the wall, there run, to the full height of the cornice, two fictive jambs in the form of double scrolls. Above the cornice is a pediment flanked by flaming urns, with a garland in the centre hanging from two scrolls. At the summit is a shield carved with the arms represented in the centre of the frieze. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | QVID. QVID. AGIS. PRVDENTER. AGAS. RESPICE. FINEM (beneath the enriched cornice)
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| Object history | Purchased in Florence. The piece bears the arms of the family of Barbolani di Montauto, who originated from Arezzo but owned several palaces in Florence. The Latin inscription on the lintel means 'whatever you do, do it wisely and bear in mind the outcome'. |
| Historical context | The style of architecture recalls that of several similar fireplaces in the Casa Vasari, the house of the famous painter and biographer Giorgio Vasari, at Arezzo, and we know from Vasari's correspondence that he had a warm friendship with several members of the Barbolani family. The chimney piece may therefore be made from one of his designs. This shallow design of chimney piece was known as 'alla Romana' or Roman style. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This chimney-piece is made in the style of Giorgio Vasari in Florence in ca. 1550. The piece bears the arms of the family of Barbolani di Montauto, who originated from Arezzo but owned several palaces in Florence. The Latin inscription on the lintel means 'whatever you do, do it wisely and bear in mind the outcome'. The style of architecture recalls that of several similar fireplaces in the Casa Vasari, the house of the famous painter and biographer Giorgio Vasari, at Arezzo, and we know from Vasari's correspondence that he had a warm friendship with several members of the Barbolani family. The chimney piece may therefore be made from one of his designs. This shallow design of chimney piece was known as 'alla Romana' or Roman style. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 6739:1to 33-1860 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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