Three Men Fighting
Group
19th century (made), late 16th century to early 17th century (made)
19th century (made), late 16th century to early 17th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This object along with A.15-1950 forms a pair and is the only known example of a boxwood figure-group combined with an amber base. The applied panels might have formed part of an early gamesboard.
The figure group is probably a 19th century pastiche of 17th century Netherlandish sculpture, and must be by the same artist (or faker) who carved the correspondent group (A.14-1950).
The figure group is probably a 19th century pastiche of 17th century Netherlandish sculpture, and must be by the same artist (or faker) who carved the correspondent group (A.14-1950).
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Three Men Fighting (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Boxwood for figure group, on base of amber and ivory on ebonised wood and boxwood core. |
| Brief description | Group, boxwood on base with amber inlay, Three men fighting, probably German, 19th century pastiche, base Königsberg, late 16th to early 17th century |
| Physical description | The figure in the centre has fallen on his right knee and clutches the figure on the left with both hands as if in appeal, whilst the figure on the right has his right arm upraised and clutches a dagger and appears about to deliver a blow to the central figure. The figure on the left has his left arm upraised and his right arm held behind. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A. Historical significance: This piece forms a pair with A.14-1950. The subject here is similarly obscure: two men in feathered caps, but wearing apparently classical costume, are in combat, while a third man, more simply dressed, kneels between them, apparently suppliant to and protected by the one on his right. The poses are stiff and the carving weak. |
| Production | 19th century and probably Germany for the figure group, the other time and place for the base |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This object along with A.15-1950 forms a pair and is the only known example of a boxwood figure-group combined with an amber base. The applied panels might have formed part of an early gamesboard. The figure group is probably a 19th century pastiche of 17th century Netherlandish sculpture, and must be by the same artist (or faker) who carved the correspondent group (A.14-1950). |
| Associated object | A.14-1950 (Ensemble) |
| Bibliographic reference | Trusted, Marjorie. Catalogue of European Ambers in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London : Victoria and Albert Museum, 1985, cat. no. 5 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.15-1950 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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