Morta with putti frieze around the base
Mortar
1507 (made)
1507 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This mortar is related to those produced in the workshop of Guidoccio di Francesco da Fabriano in the 1460s, and was probably produced by his successors in the workshop, or at another workshop in the city. Here the arches are supported by a similar plant to that which appears between the arcading on earlier examples. This gothic-style arcading was already out of date at that time, and its appearance in 1507, when this mortar was made, highlights the traditional approach to the decoration of these objects.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Title | Morta with putti frieze around the base |
Materials and techniques | Leaded bronze |
Brief description | Bronze Italian 1507 |
Physical description | A cylindrical mortar with recessed rim and a single semi-circular handle with reeding an cable pattern. The projecting rim bearing the legend ANO D MCCCCCVII...(the remained illegible). On the body, five crocketed, trefoil ogee arches springing from a plant. A recessed base with a frieze of cavorting, naked putti. The putti frieze is applied as eight identical panels of three putti, with one additional putto filling the gap in the frieze below the handle. Unlike the other related mortars, the arcading here does not frame the handle. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | Given by Dr W.L Hildburgh, F.S.A. |
Object history | Given by Dr W.L Hildburgh, F.S.A. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This mortar is related to those produced in the workshop of Guidoccio di Francesco da Fabriano in the 1460s, and was probably produced by his successors in the workshop, or at another workshop in the city. Here the arches are supported by a similar plant to that which appears between the arcading on earlier examples. This gothic-style arcading was already out of date at that time, and its appearance in 1507, when this mortar was made, highlights the traditional approach to the decoration of these objects. |
Bibliographic reference | Motture, Peta. Bells & Mortars. Catalogue of Italian Bronzes in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, 2001, p.76, cat. no. 6. |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.29-1938 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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