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Mask

Mask
about 1700 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
France (made)

This mask and its pair (A.1-1973) are characteristic examples of decorative sculpture produced under Louis XIV for versailles and other Royal Châteaux. Their provenance is not know but they probably functioned as parts of a large fountain.

Object details

Categories
Sculpture
Ornament
Object type
Mask
TitleMask
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Bronze
Brief description
Mask, bronze gilt, French, late 17th - early 18th cent.
Physical description
Mask, gilt bronze. One of a pair. The head is garlanded with reeds. Although A.2-1973 is not quite identical with A.1-1973, there is no apparent intention to differentiate them. Behind the lip is a simple incision which might indicate '1' in a series. The salient parts of the ornament, both left and right, are attached by a metal dowel and may have been cast separately. This mask, unlike A.1-1973, has been oil-gilt over the original gilding, of which traces are visible.
Dimensions
  • Height: 54cm
  • Width: 63cm
  • Depth: 26cm
Measurements from V&A Condition Statement dated 18/12/00 (Diana Heath). Report also says object is HEAVY and care re:fixing bar which can spring out easily. Different measurements on the Object Card:- H 50.2 cm W 60.3 cm
Marks and inscriptions
A single incision. (Incision is behind the upper lip.)
Object history
Bought together with A.1-1973 from Howard Ricketts, 180 New Bond Street.
Subject depicted
Mask
Summary
This mask and its pair (A.1-1973) are characteristic examples of decorative sculpture produced under Louis XIV for versailles and other Royal Châteaux. Their provenance is not know but they probably functioned as parts of a large fountain.
Associated object
A.1-1973 (Set)
Bibliographic reference
c.f. Champeaux, Portefeuille des Arts Decoratifs, pl. 950, vol. X
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.2-1973

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O350036/mask-mask-unknown/
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