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Niche

before 1543 (sculpted), 1892 (cast)
Artist/Maker

The marble niche from which this cast is taken forms part of the staircase to the pulpit in Siena Cathedral, and was designed by Bartolomeo Neroni, called Il Riccio, and was carved by Bernardino di Giacomo. The centre panel bears an inscription stating that the pulpit was reconstructed and enlarged by Francesco Tolomei, the director of the Opera del Duomo, in the year 1543. During his tenure as director, the pulpit was on the opposite side of the church. It was removed and placed where it now stands, and Tolomei added the niche and staircase following Il Riccio's original designs.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Plaster cast
Brief description
Niche from part of the staircase to the pulpit in Siena Cathedral. Designed by Bartolomeo Neroni (called Il Riccio) and carved by Bernardino di Giacomo and Francesco Tolomei. Plaster cast purchased from Signor. G. de Ricco in 1893 after Italian original completed in 1543.
Physical description
This niche is divided into panels, which are carved in relief with arabesque ornament. The centre panel bears an inscription stating that the pulpit was reconstructed and enlarged by Francesco Tolomei in the year 1543. The side pilasters and the upper frieze are decorated with arabesque ornament in higher relief. The upper part of the niche is in the shape of an inverted shell, and in the spandrels there are two angels holding palm branches.
Dimensions
  • Approximately height: 252cm
  • Approximately width: 85cm
  • Weight: 4kg
Style
Marks and inscriptions
FRANCIS PTOLEMAEVS AEDITVVS HOC PVLPITVM INSTAVRAVIT ET AVXIT AN·D·M·D XLIII
Translation
This pulpit was reconstructed and enlarged by Francesco Tolomei in the year 1543.
Object history
The plaster cast was purchased from Signor. G. de Ricco in 1892 for £11 17 s 7 d.
Production
19th century plaster cast after 16th century Italian original
Subject depicted
Summary
The marble niche from which this cast is taken forms part of the staircase to the pulpit in Siena Cathedral, and was designed by Bartolomeo Neroni, called Il Riccio, and was carved by Bernardino di Giacomo. The centre panel bears an inscription stating that the pulpit was reconstructed and enlarged by Francesco Tolomei, the director of the Opera del Duomo, in the year 1543. During his tenure as director, the pulpit was on the opposite side of the church. It was removed and placed where it now stands, and Tolomei added the niche and staircase following Il Riccio's original designs.
Bibliographic reference
Bichi, Borghese. Nuovi documenti per la storia dell'arte senese, raccolti da S. Borghesi e L. Banchi. Appendice alla raccolta dei documenti pubblicata dal comm. Gaetano Milanesi. (Siena, 1898).
Collection
Accession number
REPRO.1892-12

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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