Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Sculpture, Room 111, The Gilbert Bayes Gallery

Benedetto Pistrucci

Cameo
1845 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

An intaglio carving is cut into the surface of the material and a cameo is in relief. The art of gemstone carving was known in ancient Greece and Rome and revived in Renaissance Italy, when connoisseurs began to form rich collections of engraved stones. Shell cameos, which were cheaper and more easily worked, became fashionable in the 19th century. Many were bought by tourists as souvenirs. This cameo depicts the medallist and gem-engraver Benedetto Pistrucci.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleBenedetto Pistrucci
Materials and techniques
Bullmouth helmet shell
Brief description
Benedetto Pistrucci, shell cameo, English, 1845
Physical description
Pistrucci is represented bare-headed in profile to the right. Wearing a coat with loose turn over collar and a mantle draped around the left shoulder. The head and bust mainly in white against a background of brownish lower stratum.
Dimensions
  • Height: 6cm
  • Width: 5cm
Credit line
Bequeathed by Miss A.F. Long
Object history
Formerly in the collection of Dr Archibald Billing.
Subject depicted
Summary
An intaglio carving is cut into the surface of the material and a cameo is in relief. The art of gemstone carving was known in ancient Greece and Rome and revived in Renaissance Italy, when connoisseurs began to form rich collections of engraved stones. Shell cameos, which were cheaper and more easily worked, became fashionable in the 19th century. Many were bought by tourists as souvenirs. This cameo depicts the medallist and gem-engraver Benedetto Pistrucci.
Bibliographic reference
Pirzio Biroli Stefanelli, L. I Modelli in Cera di Benedetto Pistrucci. Rome, 1989, I, p.40, no. 6.
Collection
Accession number
A.5-1940

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Record createdJanuary 12, 2004
Record URL
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