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

Cain and Abel

Statuette
1650-1700 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Bronzes often exist in a number of versions, made over many decades or even centuries. This is achieved through a variety of means, such as changes in the wax, new moulds taken from an existing bronze or the reuse of the existing model.This group (together with inv.no. A.54-1956) are clearly based on a similar model but represent two different scenes from the Old Testament. They derive from a marble sculpture of Cain and Abel by Diogini Bussola in Milan Cathedral. In the other similar version (inv.no. A.54-1956) the figures have been adapted as Samson attacking a Philistine with the jawbone of an ass.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleCain and Abel (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Brief description
Statuette, bronze, Cain and Abel, Italy (Milan), based on an original by Dionigi Bussola (1645-1687), second half of the 17th century, perhaps even modern
Physical description
Cain, holding down Abel by his neck, is shown with his right hand raised about to strike his brother.
Dimensions
  • Height: 19cm
Credit line
Bequeathed by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA
Object history
Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A., 1956.
Production
perhaps modern
Subjects depicted
Summary
Bronzes often exist in a number of versions, made over many decades or even centuries. This is achieved through a variety of means, such as changes in the wax, new moulds taken from an existing bronze or the reuse of the existing model.This group (together with inv.no. A.54-1956) are clearly based on a similar model but represent two different scenes from the Old Testament. They derive from a marble sculpture of Cain and Abel by Diogini Bussola in Milan Cathedral. In the other similar version (inv.no. A.54-1956) the figures have been adapted as Samson attacking a Philistine with the jawbone of an ass.
Associated object
A.54-1956 (Version)
Collection
Accession number
A.55-1956

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Record createdJanuary 15, 2004
Record URL
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