Not currently on display at the V&A

Ewer

ca. 1530 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This copper ewer was probably a purely decorative object. During the period 1500-1600 in Italy ewers changed from utilitarian objects for carrying and pouring water into pure showpieces.

Ornamental artists designed richly decorated examples, like this one, in the Mannerist style that emerged in Northern Italy in the 1520s. Typically such ewers had the ovate body, trumpet foot, narrow neck and curving handle placed high on the body you can see on this piece.

Itinerant goldsmiths and engraved pattern sheets helped to spread this style of ewer to most of those European countries where there was a flourishing goldsmithing tradition.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Copper, beaten and chiselled
Brief description
Copper ewer decorated with bands of foliated scrollwork, Venetian, ca. 1530
Physical description
The ewer is beaten and chiselled; the body is surrounded with bands of foliated scrollwork.
Dimensions
  • Height: 12in
Subject depicted
Summary
This copper ewer was probably a purely decorative object. During the period 1500-1600 in Italy ewers changed from utilitarian objects for carrying and pouring water into pure showpieces.

Ornamental artists designed richly decorated examples, like this one, in the Mannerist style that emerged in Northern Italy in the 1520s. Typically such ewers had the ovate body, trumpet foot, narrow neck and curving handle placed high on the body you can see on this piece.

Itinerant goldsmiths and engraved pattern sheets helped to spread this style of ewer to most of those European countries where there was a flourishing goldsmithing tradition.
Collection
Accession number
579-1865

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJanuary 12, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest