Finial thumbnail 1
Finial thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Finial

1575-1600 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This finial is one of three known examples (the others being in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge and the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich) traditionally ascribed to Lorenzo Ghiberti. Closely similar finials appear surmounting staves held by shield-bearing warriors in marble reliefs from the Lombardi workshop on the front of the Palazzo Cappello-Miari in Venice. The Palace was built for the Trevisan family in the early 16th century, and the 'triceput' (triple head) appears to have been a badge of this family (tre visi). Technically this and the other two examples compare closely with Venetian gilt copper work of between about 1575 and 1600. The socle and knob are later replacements.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gilt copper
Brief description
Finial, gilt copper, with three male heads, Venetian, last quarter of 16th century
Physical description
Gilt copper finial with three male heads surmounted by crown-shpaed knop.
Dimensions
  • Height: 18.1cm
Object history
Bought from David Peel & Co. Ltd. for £5,500 from the Central Fund, in 1976.

Historical significance: One of three known examples (others: Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge and Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich) traditionally ascribed to Lorenzo Ghiberti. Closely similar finials appear surmounting staves held by shield-bearing warriors in marble reliefs from the Lombardi workshop on the front of the Palazzo Cappello-Miari in Venice. the Palace was built for the Trevisan family in the early 16th century, and the 'triceput' (triple head) appears to have been a badge of this family (tre visi). Technically this and the other two examples compare closely with Venetian gilt copper work of between about 1575 and 1600. The socle and knob are later replacements.
Production
The scole and knop are later replacements. Formerly ascribed to Lorenzo Ghiberti.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This finial is one of three known examples (the others being in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge and the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich) traditionally ascribed to Lorenzo Ghiberti. Closely similar finials appear surmounting staves held by shield-bearing warriors in marble reliefs from the Lombardi workshop on the front of the Palazzo Cappello-Miari in Venice. The Palace was built for the Trevisan family in the early 16th century, and the 'triceput' (triple head) appears to have been a badge of this family (tre visi). Technically this and the other two examples compare closely with Venetian gilt copper work of between about 1575 and 1600. The socle and knob are later replacements.
Collection
Accession number
A.3-1976

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Record createdMay 31, 2000
Record URL
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