An Antique Sacrifice
Plaquette
first half of 16th century (made)
first half of 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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 book-bindings. Plaquettes had a role in disseminating classical imagery and designs throughout Europe, in the same manner as the contemporary print. The subject matter was often a miniature composition, only rarely a single isolated figure.
Belli spent the most important part of his career in Rome, working for two successive popes. Almost all of his bronze plaquettes are cast from his engravings in rock crystal or hardstone.
Belli spent the most important part of his career in Rome, working for two successive popes. Almost all of his bronze plaquettes are cast from his engravings in rock crystal or hardstone.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | An Antique Sacrifice (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Plaquette, bronze, an antique sacrifice, Italy, probably by Valerio Belli, first half of 16th century |
| Physical description | In the centre an altar on which stands a draped statue of a goddess with raised arms. To the right a veiled woman, followed by another. To the left a priestess in fluttering robes offering up a dish, followed by a man. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Salting Bequest |
| Object history | From the Salting bequest. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| 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 book-bindings. Plaquettes had a role in disseminating classical imagery and designs throughout Europe, in the same manner as the contemporary print. The subject matter was often a miniature composition, only rarely a single isolated figure. Belli spent the most important part of his career in Rome, working for two successive popes. Almost all of his bronze plaquettes are cast from his engravings in rock crystal or hardstone. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.481-1910 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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