Ewer
1583-1584 (hallmarked)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The central band of this silver-gilt ewer is composed of sea creatures in a choppy ocean. This watery scene is appropriate for a ewer and basin, relating as it does to the ewer's function of pouring water.
Sources of Design
The decoration on the ewer reflects the Renaissance and highly sophisticated, Mannerist styles that were current on the Continent. They were spread throughout Europe primarily by means of engravings. By the mid-16th century goldsmiths in England had access to many such sources, as is clear from the new and fantastical decoration on their work.
The crouching lion on the upper part of the handle of this ewer is based on a print of 1531 by the Italian engraver Agostino Veneziano. (This is also displayed in the British Galleries. See museum no. 16842.) Prints of ancient Roman vases were especially influential in promoting classical ornament. Although the designs comprise a mixture of modern and antique motifs, many were inscribed in Latin to exaggerate the supposed antiquity of the vases. The series of printed vases made in Rome were often aimed at the tourist or foreign markets.
The central band of this silver-gilt ewer is composed of sea creatures in a choppy ocean. This watery scene is appropriate for a ewer and basin, relating as it does to the ewer's function of pouring water.
Sources of Design
The decoration on the ewer reflects the Renaissance and highly sophisticated, Mannerist styles that were current on the Continent. They were spread throughout Europe primarily by means of engravings. By the mid-16th century goldsmiths in England had access to many such sources, as is clear from the new and fantastical decoration on their work.
The crouching lion on the upper part of the handle of this ewer is based on a print of 1531 by the Italian engraver Agostino Veneziano. (This is also displayed in the British Galleries. See museum no. 16842.) Prints of ancient Roman vases were especially influential in promoting classical ornament. Although the designs comprise a mixture of modern and antique motifs, many were inscribed in Latin to exaggerate the supposed antiquity of the vases. The series of printed vases made in Rome were often aimed at the tourist or foreign markets.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver gilt, embossed and chased, with cast details |
| Brief description | The Veneziano-Fuller ewer |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Maker's mark 'RS'; engraved with the crest of Fuller |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
A EWER AND ITS PRINT SOURCE Agostino Veneziano engraved this print in Italy in 1531. An inscription on it records that it shows an antique Roman object. Just over 50 years later an unknown goldsmith made this ewer in London. The goldsmith must have known the print as he copied the distinctive lion-shaped handle when he made the ewer. Servants brought a ewer and basin to the dining table, for the principal guests to wash their hands after dinner. They were amongst the most showy items of domestic silver.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Per Crichton at the Swaythling Sale |
| Summary | Object Type The central band of this silver-gilt ewer is composed of sea creatures in a choppy ocean. This watery scene is appropriate for a ewer and basin, relating as it does to the ewer's function of pouring water. Sources of Design The decoration on the ewer reflects the Renaissance and highly sophisticated, Mannerist styles that were current on the Continent. They were spread throughout Europe primarily by means of engravings. By the mid-16th century goldsmiths in England had access to many such sources, as is clear from the new and fantastical decoration on their work. The crouching lion on the upper part of the handle of this ewer is based on a print of 1531 by the Italian engraver Agostino Veneziano. (This is also displayed in the British Galleries. See museum no. 16842.) Prints of ancient Roman vases were especially influential in promoting classical ornament. Although the designs comprise a mixture of modern and antique motifs, many were inscribed in Latin to exaggerate the supposed antiquity of the vases. The series of printed vases made in Rome were often aimed at the tourist or foreign markets. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.250-1924 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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