Not currently on display at the V&A

Crucible

ca. 1620-5 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

When this crucible was firstly published, the names in the inscription were regarded as those of a single member of the de Levis family, but it has since been established that they are names of Giuseppe de Levis's two sons, Paolo and Francesco. The joint signing pattern found in this crucible suggests that this was produced in the first half of the 1620s. This crucible bears none of the motifs particularly associated with the deLevis foundry, therefore it would have been impossible to attribute with certainty without the inscription. This crucible is most likely originally to have been found in a scientific or phamaceutical context.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Crucible, bronze Italian (verona) ca. 1620-5.
Physical description
Decorated around the rim with a band of ivy or vine-leaf scroll; with a hollow projecting handle socket, decorated with water leaf. Supported by three feet comprising inverted 'wild man' masks, with flopping ears and small horns.
Dimensions
  • Height: 12cm
  • Diameter: 16cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • "PAVLO FRANC: LEVI VER. F."
  • "N. M."
Subjects depicted
Summary
When this crucible was firstly published, the names in the inscription were regarded as those of a single member of the de Levis family, but it has since been established that they are names of Giuseppe de Levis's two sons, Paolo and Francesco. The joint signing pattern found in this crucible suggests that this was produced in the first half of the 1620s. This crucible bears none of the motifs particularly associated with the deLevis foundry, therefore it would have been impossible to attribute with certainty without the inscription. This crucible is most likely originally to have been found in a scientific or phamaceutical context.
Bibliographic references
  • Mann, V. B. Gardens and Ghettos, the art of Jewish life in Italy. University of California Press, 1989. pp. 290-291.
  • Motture, Peta. Bells and Mortars. Catalogue of Italian Bronzes in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, 2001. pp. 163-4. cat. no. 51.
  • Avery, Charles, Joseph De Levis & Company: Renaissance Bronze-founders in Verona, Philip Wilson, London, 2016, p. 144, fig. 56
Collection
Accession number
M.26-1923

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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