Bronze plaquette, the Virgin and Child with Angels and Cherubs, Italian (Paduan) late fifteenth century

Rectangular bronze plaquette, pierces with a circular hole at the centre top. The Virgin, holding the Child in her arms, stands in front of a niche at the sides of which are angels holding torches; on either side putti, holding garlands, stand on columns, on the pedestals of which are two other torch-bearing angels. Below are a group of putti playing with garlands, and at the base two angels holding a wreath.

Bequeathed by D. M. Currie

The object was acquired in 1921 through the David M. Currie bequest.

Historical significance: John Pope Hennessy (1965, p. 87) notes that 'the plaquette survives in an unusually large number of versions'. Such versions may be found at The Samuel H. Kress collection, in Washington, the Staatliche Museen Berlin, the Museum at Pienza. The V&A holds a second version of this plaquette, museum no. 4408-1857, mounted as a pax.

During the Renaissance, small bronze plaquettes exploring religious or antique themes, of predominantly elevated moral content, were popular among a clientele of learned humanists. These objects, produced in quantities, were usually found in these scholars's studios, where they kept functional objects and collectibles.
These plaquettes could have an ornamental purpose. As such, they are often incomplete in themselves, as they would be applied or mounted on items of household furniture, such as inkstands, lamps or caskets. They could also sometimes be used as items of personal adornment, to decorate clothing or accessories (see Hill, 1917, p. 104, Spencer, 1969, pp. 5-7).
As small objects easily transportable, plaquettes were also used by artists as means of transmitting themes, compositions, and their interpretations of antique and religious subjects (Spencer, 1969, p. 7). They bore and intrinsic value as collectibles, since they appear in 16th century inventories (Spencer, 1969, p. 7)
Religious plaquettes could also have a ceremonial purpose, and be mounted as a pax, or small flat tablet that worshipers kiss when offered the 'kiss of peace', a greeting given at religious services, as an indication of Christian love. Pope-Hennessy (1965, p. 87) notes one such example of this plaquette in the Museum at Pienza, and the Metalwork section of the V&A keeps one similarly mounted, and decorated with niello plaques (museum no. 4408-1857).

During the Renaissance, small bronze plaquettes exploring religious or antique themes, of predominantly elevated moral content, were popular among a clientele of learned humanists. These objects, produced in quantities, were usually found in these scholars's studios, where they kept functional objects and collectibles.
This religious scene mimics an architectural altarpiece in a classical style. The figures are delicately treated, with the swaying figure of the Virgin clasping the Christ Child to her breast.

A.40-1921