Judith with the head of Holofernes
Intaglio
ca. 1500 (made)
ca. 1500 (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.
Judith was the heroine of the Jews planning and carrying out the assassination of the Assyrian general Holofernes who's army was besieging the Jewish city of Bethulia. Her image is used to symbolise Humility, and Virtue overcoming Vice.
Judith was the heroine of the Jews planning and carrying out the assassination of the Assyrian general Holofernes who's army was besieging the Jewish city of Bethulia. Her image is used to symbolise Humility, and Virtue overcoming Vice.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Judith with the head of Holofernes (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Banded agate |
| Brief description | Intaglio, banded agate, of Judith with the Head of Holofernes, Italy, ca. 1500 |
| Physical description | Judith stands in front of a small sacrificial altar. She holds the head of Holofernes in her right hand by the hair. In her left hand she holds a sword. A spear stands upright behind the altar. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Bought from A. D'Ortona Antiques, Ltd., for £340, Post-1920 Departmental Fund, in 1979. |
| Subjects 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. Judith was the heroine of the Jews planning and carrying out the assassination of the Assyrian general Holofernes who's army was besieging the Jewish city of Bethulia. Her image is used to symbolise Humility, and Virtue overcoming Vice. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.17-1979 |
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| Record created | March 16, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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