Socket for a standard

Physical description

Electrotype Copy of a socket for a standard, after the bronze original in the Piazza di S. Marco, Venice. One of three flagstaffs commissioned from Leopardi by Doge Leonardo Loredan (reigned 1501-21). The latter's portrait appears in four medallions on the flagstaff. The flagstaff shows the winged lion of St. Mark, the emblem of the Venetian Republic, and around the base are seascapes with classicizing figures. Here, allegorical figures of Wisdom, Charity and Justice are shown riding above the waves with attendants.

Place of Origin

Venice, Italy (sculpted)
London, England (cast)

Date

August 1505 (sculpted)
1861 (cast)

Artist/maker

Leopardi, Alessandro (after, sculptor)
Franchi and Son (Messrs.) (maker)

Materials and Techniques

Electrotype copy

Dimensions

Height: 282 cm, Diameter: 122 cm

Object history note

Purchased from Messrs Franchi & Son together with museum no. 1863-3 in 1863 for £205

Historical context note

One of three flagstaffs commissioned from Leopardi by Doge Leonardo Loredan (reigned 1501-21). The latter's portrait appears in four medallions on the flagstaff, and he is recorded in the inscription which runs around three bands on the original, but is not reproduced in this copy. It reads: OPTIMO PRINCIPE/LEONARDO LAVREDANO/DVCE VENETIAN. EIVS IIII./PROCVR.ECCLES./S.MARCI./PAVLO BARBO/M.ANTO.MAVROC.EQ/NICOL. TRIVISANO/ANNO DOMINI MCCCCCV MENS.ABG.OPVS ALEXANDRI LEOPARDI ((Given) by the great prince Leonardo Loredan, Doge of Venice in the fourth year of his reign (and supervised by) the procurators of the church of S. Marco, Paulo Barbo., M. Anto. Mauroc., knight, Nicol Trivisano, in the year of Our Lord 1505 in the month of August. The work of Alessandro Leopardi). The three flagstaffs all show the winged lion of St Mark, the emblem of the Venetian Republic, and around their bases are seascapes with classicizing figures. Here, allegorical figures of Wisdom, Charity and Justice are shown riding above the waves with attendants.

Descriptive line

Electrotype of a socket for a standard, after the bronze original in the Piazza di S. Marco, Venice; Alessandro Leopardi, August 1505, cast by Franchi, dated 1861

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Angus Patterson, "The Perfect Marriage of Art and Industry: Elkingtons and the South Kensington Museum's Electrotype Collection", The Journal of the Antique Metalware Society, Vol. 20, June 2012, pp. 56-77, ill. p. 64

Subjects depicted

Charity; Justice; Wisdom; Standards (identifying artifacts)

Categories

Sculpture; Architectural fittings

Collection code

SCP