The Virgin and Child between candelabra thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

The Virgin and Child between candelabra

Plaquette
mid 15th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Donatello (artist)
Place of origin
Florence (made)

Plaquettes are small plaques or reliefs made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440ies with the desire to reproduce coins and hardstone engravings from ancient Greece and Rome. Some were made as collector's pieces, to be viewed and displayed in private, and others for practical purposes. They also inspired designs in other media, from architecture to bookbindings.


Object details

Categories
Plaques & Plaquettes
Sculpture
Christianity
Object type
Plaquette
TitleThe Virgin and Child between candelabra (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Bronze
Brief description
Plaquette, bronze, the Virgin and Child between candelabra, in the style of Donatello, Italy, middle of 15th century
Physical description
Plaquette depicts the Virgin seen half length behind a draped parapet, holding the child in her arms, his head on her right. On the parapet are two candelabra surmounted by angels carrying burning lamps.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 8.2cm
Object history
From the Salting bequest.
Subjects depicted
Candelabra
Parapet
Angels
Virgin and Child
Summary
Plaquettes are small plaques or reliefs made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440ies with the desire to reproduce coins and hardstone engravings from ancient Greece and Rome. Some were made as collector's pieces, to be viewed and displayed in private, and others for practical purposes. They also inspired designs in other media, from architecture to bookbindings.
Bibliographic references
  • 'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 64
  • Maclagan, Eric. Catalogue of Italian Plaquettes . London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1924, p. 18
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.409-1910

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O313780/the-virgin-and-child-between-plaquette-donatello/
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