Finial thumbnail 1
Finial thumbnail 2
+7
images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 137, The Curtain Foundation Gallery

Finial

late 16th century to early 17th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

From a pyramidal base, with a head of a lady wearing a ruff projecting on the front and a wing-like scroll on either side, rises a short cylinder with four appendages in the form of scrolled loops. Above the cylinder is a square plinth supporting a large vase, with high foot, ovoid body stuffed with bosses, and narrow neck. Four heads, of cupids and cocks alternately, project from the shoulder. In the mouth of the vase are flowers and fruit surrounding a globe on which is perched a hawk with outspread wings. The glazes are coloured dark blue, green, yellow and manganese purple.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 10 parts.

  • Finial Section
  • Finial Section
  • Finial Section
  • Finial Section
  • Finial Section
  • Finial Section
  • Finial Section
  • Finial Section
  • Finial Section
  • Finial Section
Materials and techniques
Physical description
From a pyramidal base, with a head of a lady wearing a ruff projecting on the front and a wing-like scroll on either side, rises a short cylinder with four appendages in the form of scrolled loops. Above the cylinder is a square plinth supporting a large vase, with high foot, ovoid body stuffed with bosses, and narrow neck. Four heads, of cupids and cocks alternately, project from the shoulder. In the mouth of the vase are flowers and fruit surrounding a globe on which is perched a hawk with outspread wings. The glazes are coloured dark blue, green, yellow and manganese purple.
Dimensions
  • Total height; taken from register height: 64in
Credit line
Given by J.H. Fitzhenry
Object history
Formerly in the Boy Collection
Given by J.H. Fitzhenry
Historical context
(Jan.2011) A very similar roof finial is on display in the Petit Palais in Paris. It is described as made in a Pays d'Auge workshop, possibly at Menerbe, 17th century (see Object Information file).
Production
Near Liseaux
Bibliographic reference
Object Information File
Collection
Accession number
654:1-1906

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest