Modello
ca. 1550 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Works of art within a Schatzkammer were prized for their high intrinsic value, as well as for the artistic skill involved in their creation. Prior to executing a piece, an artist would often present their patron with a design, in order to guarantee the commission. In Italy it was most common for the design to take the form of a model, and in his autobiography Benvenuto Cellini makes reference to several models of wax, none of which sadly survives. This modello is an extremely rare survival and the representation of precious stones suggests that the finished product was intended to be made of gold.
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Schatzkammer is one of the few collections of its kind formed in the late 20th century. The Schatzkammer, or treasury, was a new concept in the 16th century. It referred to a special chamber in which the most precious artefacts of a princely collection were housed. Gold and jewelled objects were mounted alongside exotic natural curiosities, including rock crystal, nautilus shells and ostrich eggs. Together they demonstrated not only the wonders of nature and the technical achievements of the artist, but also the intellect and culture of the patron.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Schatzkammer is one of the few collections of its kind formed in the late 20th century. The Schatzkammer, or treasury, was a new concept in the 16th century. It referred to a special chamber in which the most precious artefacts of a princely collection were housed. Gold and jewelled objects were mounted alongside exotic natural curiosities, including rock crystal, nautilus shells and ostrich eggs. Together they demonstrated not only the wonders of nature and the technical achievements of the artist, but also the intellect and culture of the patron.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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Materials and techniques | Painted and gilded terracotta |
Brief description | Painted and gilded terracotta modello for a ewer; Italy, ca. 1550. |
Physical description | Modello for a ewer, painted and gilded. The body decorated with heads of putti, lions and men. Underneath the lip of the spout is the head of a man. |
Dimensions |
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Gallery label | (Gallery 70, case 6)
8. Clay modello for a ewer
About 1550
Before executing an expensive commission, artists might present their patron with an initial design for approval. In Italy this took the form of a model or modello. These were usually discarded, so this painted terracotta modello is extremely rare. The paint indicating the addition of precious stones suggests that the finished product was intended to be made of gold.
Probably Rome, Italy
Painted and gilded terracotta
Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.45:1-2008(16/11/2016) |
Credit line | The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London |
Object history | Provenance: Corsini Collection Florence; Colnaghi, London, 1983; Sotheby's London, European Sculpture and Works of Art, 3 July 1986, lot 38 |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | Works of art within a Schatzkammer were prized for their high intrinsic value, as well as for the artistic skill involved in their creation. Prior to executing a piece, an artist would often present their patron with a design, in order to guarantee the commission. In Italy it was most common for the design to take the form of a model, and in his autobiography Benvenuto Cellini makes reference to several models of wax, none of which sadly survives. This modello is an extremely rare survival and the representation of precious stones suggests that the finished product was intended to be made of gold. The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Schatzkammer is one of the few collections of its kind formed in the late 20th century. The Schatzkammer, or treasury, was a new concept in the 16th century. It referred to a special chamber in which the most precious artefacts of a princely collection were housed. Gold and jewelled objects were mounted alongside exotic natural curiosities, including rock crystal, nautilus shells and ostrich eggs. Together they demonstrated not only the wonders of nature and the technical achievements of the artist, but also the intellect and culture of the patron. Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996. |
Bibliographic references |
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Other numbers |
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Collection | |
Accession number | LOAN:GILBERT.45:1-2008 |
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Record created | June 26, 2008 |
Record URL |
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