Plaque
ca. 1775-1800 (made)
| Place of origin |
Copper plaque decorated in gold on a black lacquer ground with a portrait of the English philosopher John Locke (1632-1704); after the portrait of John Locke, in Dreux du Radier, 'L'Europe illustre', Paris, 1777 (hence the French 'Jean' seen on this plaque) which is itself based on a painting by Sir Geoffrey Kneller (1646-1723). Small portrait plaques, copied in Japan from European books, were exported in large numbers.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Copper covered in black lacquer with gold <i>hiramaki-e</i> (metal powder sprinkled on to a lacquer design before it has hardened so that it is in low relief) with gold details |
| Brief description | Plaque, copper covered in black and gold lacquer, portrait of Jean Locke on the obverse and an inscription in French on the reverse, Japan for the European market, ca. 1775-1800 |
| Physical description | Plaque, of oval shape, copper covered in black lacquer with a head and shoulders portrait of John Locke, inscribed in French Jean Locke at the top in gold hiramaki-e (metal powder sprinkled on to a lacquer design before it has hardened so that it is in low relief) with gold details; the reverse inscribed Philosophe: né en 1632, mort en 1704, also in gold hiramaki-e. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Historical context | Small portrait plaques copied from European books were exported in large numbers. This portrait is copied from an engraving which is itself based on a painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723) |
| Production | After portrait of John Locke, in Dreux du Radier, L'Europe illustre, Paris, 1777 which is itself based on a painting by Sir Geoffrey Kneller |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Copper plaque decorated in gold on a black lacquer ground with a portrait of the English philosopher John Locke (1632-1704); after the portrait of John Locke, in Dreux du Radier, 'L'Europe illustre', Paris, 1777 (hence the French 'Jean' seen on this plaque) which is itself based on a painting by Sir Geoffrey Kneller (1646-1723). Small portrait plaques, copied in Japan from European books, were exported in large numbers. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.29-1985 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 13, 2000 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
