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A Bull

Inkstand
ca. 1550-1600 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The great majority of bronzes produced during the Italian Renaissance were made for use, so-called 'functional bronzes', which, however beautiful in their own right, nevertheless had some practical use beyond simple ornament. This is the case of this bronze inkstand group, which was intended for the writing table, together with other utensils and vessels. The furnishing of the study was indeed one of the most important tasks of bronze casting.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleA Bull (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Brief description
Inkstand in the form of a sacred/resting Bull, bronze, Italian, ca. 1550-1600
Physical description
Inkstand in bronze in the form of a bull. The bull is reclining on an oblong base with four claw feet; his back is cut out and fastened as a lid with a hinge near his tail. Dark patina.
Dimensions
  • Width: 10cm
  • Depth: 4.5cm
  • Height: 8cm
Dimensions were taken by SCP on 27.10.14 for Bronze Zoo: A Sculptural Menagerie
Credit line
Salting Bequest
Object history
From the Salting bequest.
Subject depicted
Summary
The great majority of bronzes produced during the Italian Renaissance were made for use, so-called 'functional bronzes', which, however beautiful in their own right, nevertheless had some practical use beyond simple ornament. This is the case of this bronze inkstand group, which was intended for the writing table, together with other utensils and vessels. The furnishing of the study was indeed one of the most important tasks of bronze casting.
Bibliographic reference
'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 9
Collection
Accession number
A.130-1910

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Record createdJanuary 6, 2004
Record URL
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