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Neptune and Tritons thumbnail 2
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Neptune and Tritons

Relief
ca. 1900 - ca. 1910 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This ivory relief is made of three panels. In the middle the bearded figure of Neptune in fluttering drapery stands upon a turtle, his right hand rests upon his trident. To the left are two mermen with conch shells, and to the right, two cupids, one swimming, the other seated in a shell and blowing upon a conch; in the background a dolphin. Above to the right and left are two pairs of flying cupids. The fiugre of Neptune is elongated, and distantly reminiscent of the work of Antonio Leoni (active in Düsseldorf 1704-16), although the carving here is less subtle. An ivory triptych such as this is unusual, indeed possibly unique, and its clumsy composition, blunt figurative style and poor reading of anatomy all suggest that it is in fact a fake, made in imitation of German baroque prototypes. It was probably produced in the early twentieth century.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Relief
  • Relief
  • Relief
TitleNeptune and Tritons (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved ivory
Brief description
Relief in three parts, carved ivory, depicting Neptune with tritons and putti, Germany, ca. 1900-1910
Physical description
Relief in three panels. In the middle the bearded figure of Neptune in fluttering drapery stands upon a turtle above the waves, his right hand rests upon his trident. To the left are two mermen with conch shells and to the right, two cupids, one swimming, the other seated in a shell and blowing upon a conch; in the background a dolphin. Above, to the right and left are two pairs of flying cupids.
Dimensions
  • Of central panel height: 23.5cm
  • All three width: 29cm
  • Of central panel width: 10cm
  • Of left hand panel height: 23.2cm
  • Of left hand panel width: 9.6cm
  • Of right hand panel height: 10cm
  • Of right hand panel width: 10cm
Credit line
Given by Dr W.L Hildburgh, F.S.A.
Object history
Given by Dr W.L Hildburgh, F.S.A. in 1923.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This ivory relief is made of three panels. In the middle the bearded figure of Neptune in fluttering drapery stands upon a turtle, his right hand rests upon his trident. To the left are two mermen with conch shells, and to the right, two cupids, one swimming, the other seated in a shell and blowing upon a conch; in the background a dolphin. Above to the right and left are two pairs of flying cupids. The fiugre of Neptune is elongated, and distantly reminiscent of the work of Antonio Leoni (active in Düsseldorf 1704-16), although the carving here is less subtle. An ivory triptych such as this is unusual, indeed possibly unique, and its clumsy composition, blunt figurative style and poor reading of anatomy all suggest that it is in fact a fake, made in imitation of German baroque prototypes. It was probably produced in the early twentieth century.
Bibliographic references
  • Review [1911-1938], Victoria & Albert Museum. Review of the Principal Acquisitions during the Year, London, 1933, p. 6, pl. 3a
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013 pp. 447, 448
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013, pp. 447, 448, cat. no. 490
Collection
Accession number
A.1 to B-1933

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
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