Vase
19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Although vase-shaped, this object was made in the same way as a mortar and it is possible that it was used for that purpose. Stylistically it relates to objects from the late 15th to early 16th century, but the masks suspended from the cherubs' heads are unusual, and the vase is doubtless a later cast.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Bell-metal with lead and zinc |
| Brief description | Vase or mortar, bell-metal, with grotesque masks, possibly Italy (North), style of 15th to 16th century, but cast in the 19th century |
| Physical description | Thistle shaped vase or small mortar with flared rim decorated with 12 acanthus leaves. On the body a band of grotesque masks with foliage emanating from their mouths, alternating with columns surmounted by cherub heads, from which two masks are suspended. On the bowl, two grotesque (or lion) masks alternating with acanthus leaves in groups of three. Flattened foot, decorated with downward-facing acanthus. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | From the Salting bequest. |
| Historical context | The foot may have been cast separately and affixed. Although vase-shaped, this object was made in the same way as a mortar and it is possible that it was used for that purpose. Stylistically it relates to objects from the late 15th to early 16th century, but the masks suspended from the cherubs' heads are unusual, and the vase is doubtless a later cast. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Although vase-shaped, this object was made in the same way as a mortar and it is possible that it was used for that purpose. Stylistically it relates to objects from the late 15th to early 16th century, but the masks suspended from the cherubs' heads are unusual, and the vase is doubtless a later cast. |
| Bibliographic reference | Motture, Peta. Bells & Mortars. Catalogue of the Italian Bronzes in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, 2001, p. 190, cat. no. 65 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.692-1910 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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