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Plaque

Plaque

  • Place of origin:

    Toledo, Spain (possibly, made)

  • Date:

    ca. 1550 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Silver

  • Museum number:

    350-1880

  • Gallery location:

    Silver, room 69, case 5

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This small plaquette was made for the centre of a processional cross. On the banner at the top there are faint traces of erased letters INRI (for the Latin 'Iesus Nazarethi Rex Iudorum' meaning Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews). The embossing is superbly executed and is probably inspired by ornament prints in the Mannerist style, popular during the second half of the 16th century. Typical Mannerist motifs are distorted figures, called 'grotesques' and fantastical creatures. The tortured figures on this plaquette recall the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch, whose work was collected by Phillip II of Spain.

Physical description

Circular plaque with grotesque birds and monsters within a laurel wreath.

Place of Origin

Toledo, Spain (possibly, made)

Date

ca. 1550 (made)

Artist/maker

unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Silver

Dimensions

Diameter: 9.00 cm, Height: 0.70 cm

Object history note

Exhibitions:
S.K.M. Special Loan Exhibition, 1881, No. 913.

Originally attributed to Juan de Arfe. This must be regarded mainly as a testimonial to the fine workmanship, since the design does not at all resemble the artist's work. It would be easier to attribute it to Juan Franci of Toledo, if it were not for the fact that all his known crosses have a square plaque in the middle.

Descriptive line

Plaque, silver with grotesque birds and monsters within a laurel wreath, Juan de Aye, Toledo, ca. 1550

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Oman, Charles, The Golden Age of Hispanic Silver 1400-1665, p.62, pl.79, HMSO, 1968

Labels and date

Silver Gallery:
This small plaquette was made for the centre of a processional cross. It has faint traces of erased letters INRI (for 'Iesus Nazarethi Rex Iudorum', 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews') from the banner at the top of the composition. The embossing is superbly executed and is probably inspired by mannerist ornament prints. The tortured figures recall the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch, whose work was collected by Phillip II of Spain. [26/11/2002]

Materials

Silver

Subjects depicted

Birds; Laurel wreath; Monsters

Categories

Metalwork; Religion; Christianity

Collection code

MET

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Qr_O91749
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