A cow
Intaglio
1775-1810 (made)
1775-1810 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The art of engraving gemstones has been admired since the early days of the Roman empire. It was revived in Europe during the Renaissance, and again in the 18th and 19th centuries. Cameos and intaglios were prized and collected, sometimes as symbols of power and mounted in jewelled settings, sometimes as small objects for private devotion or enjoymentBurch was one of the most celebrated gem engravers of 18th-century England. His aim was to emulate the great engravers of ancient Greece and Rome, whose work was becoming known through archaeological excavation and purchases made on the Grand Tour. On this intaglio the signature is inverted, suggesting that it was intended for use as a seal.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | A cow (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carnelian |
| Brief description | Carnelian by Edward Burch, made in England, 1775-1810. |
| Physical description | Carnelian intaglio of a cow. The standing figure of a cow with long curving horns, the ground roughly indicated. Signed under the animal 'BURCH- R.A.' |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Ashby |
| Object history | Given by Mrs Ashby. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The art of engraving gemstones has been admired since the early days of the Roman empire. It was revived in Europe during the Renaissance, and again in the 18th and 19th centuries. Cameos and intaglios were prized and collected, sometimes as symbols of power and mounted in jewelled settings, sometimes as small objects for private devotion or enjoymentBurch was one of the most celebrated gem engravers of 18th-century England. His aim was to emulate the great engravers of ancient Greece and Rome, whose work was becoming known through archaeological excavation and purchases made on the Grand Tour. On this intaglio the signature is inverted, suggesting that it was intended for use as a seal. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.30-1934 |
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| Record created | January 12, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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