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Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae

Print
Third quarter 16th century (published)
Artist/Maker
Unknown (Engraver)
Lafrery (Publisher)
Place of origin
Italy (published)

This engraving by an unknown artist from the mid 16th century shows a Roman trophy. The first military trophies consisted of the arms and armour of the conquered hung from a tree. Transformed into stone sculptures by the Romans, they survived to be recorded by 16th century print makers and to inspire designers. This trophy is thought to commemorate the victory of the Roman General, Gaius Marius, over the tribe of the Cimbri, in 102 BC. This trophy is typical in its decoration: shields, swords, helmets and other weapons accompany the angels, centaurs, sphinx, flower decoration and tritons (or mermen).


Object details

Category
Ornament Prints
Object type
Print
TitleSpeculum Romanae Magnificentiae (series title)
Materials and techniques
Engraving on paper
Engraving
Brief description
Anonymous engraver, plate depicting one of the trophies of Marius, published by Antonio Lafrery, Italian, third quarter 16th century.
Physical description
Print showing a Roman trophy, with shields, helmets and arrows, with angels supporting the shields and flower ornament
Dimensions
  • Plate mark height: 38cm
  • Plate mark width: 24.3cm
Style
Renaissance
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Trophea Marii De Bello Cym BR. PVTAT AD AED CVSEB. ROM' Top center
  • 51 inscribed in pencil, top right of page
Object history
The first military trophies consisted of the arms and armour of the conquered hung up on a tree. Transformed into stone sculptures by the Romans, they survived to be recorded by 16th century print makers and to inspire designers. This trophy has thought to commemorate the victory of the Roman General, Gaius Marius, over the tribe of the Cimbri (102 BC).
Production
Reissues of earlier plates from mid 16th century
Summary
This engraving by an unknown artist from the mid 16th century shows a Roman trophy. The first military trophies consisted of the arms and armour of the conquered hung from a tree. Transformed into stone sculptures by the Romans, they survived to be recorded by 16th century print makers and to inspire designers. This trophy is thought to commemorate the victory of the Roman General, Gaius Marius, over the tribe of the Cimbri, in 102 BC. This trophy is typical in its decoration: shields, swords, helmets and other weapons accompany the angels, centaurs, sphinx, flower decoration and tritons (or mermen).
Bibliographic references
  • Miller, E., 16th-century Italian ornament prints in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1999, p. 174-6 (cat. 51a).
  • Miller, E., 16th-century Italian ornament prints in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1999, p. 174 (cat. 51b).
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
E.3629-1906

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O845996/speculum-romanae-magnificentiae-print-unknown/
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