Figure of Castor
Figure
1785-1790 (made)
1785-1790 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In Greek and Roman mythology, Castor and Pollux were the twin sons of Leda and Zeus/Tyndareus (Pollux's father was Zeus, Castor's was Tyndareus), the brothers of Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra.
The figure's armour is decorated with platinum, which was developed for the decoration of porcelain by the Royal Berlin Porcelain Factory. It had the advantage, over silver, of not tarnishing.
The figure's armour is decorated with platinum, which was developed for the decoration of porcelain by the Royal Berlin Porcelain Factory. It had the advantage, over silver, of not tarnishing.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Figure of Castor |
| Materials and techniques | Hard-paste porcelain painted with enamels, platinum and gilded |
| Brief description | Figure of Castor in hard-paste porcelain painted with enamels and platinum, Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur Berlin, Berlin, 1785-1790. |
| Physical description | Figure of Castor in hard-paste porcelain painted with enamels and platinum. He wears a green and silver helmet, a long yellow mantle, silver body armour, a pink kirtle, greaves and sandals. With his right hand he is drawing a short sword which hangs in a scabbard aloft in his hand. Square base with 'CASTOR' inscribed. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Mr John George Joicey |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | In Greek and Roman mythology, Castor and Pollux were the twin sons of Leda and Zeus/Tyndareus (Pollux's father was Zeus, Castor's was Tyndareus), the brothers of Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra. The figure's armour is decorated with platinum, which was developed for the decoration of porcelain by the Royal Berlin Porcelain Factory. It had the advantage, over silver, of not tarnishing. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.1537-1919 |
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| Record created | May 18, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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