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An Allegory

Plaquette
first quarter 16th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Italy (made)

Plaquettes are small plaques or reliefs made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440ies with the desire to reproduce coins and hardstone engravings from ancient Greece and Rome. Some were made as collector's pieces, to be viewed and displayed in private, and others for practical purposes. They also inspired designs in other media, from architecture to bookbindings.


Object details

Categories
Plaques & Plaquettes
Myths & Legends
Sculpture
Object type
Plaquette
TitleAn Allegory (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Bronze
Brief description
Plaquette, bronze, an Allegory, Italy, first quarter of 16th century
Physical description
Plaque depicts a cupid blindfold standing on a globe, accompanied by two other cupids bearing torches and a mask.
Dimensions
  • Length: 7.94cm
  • Width: 8.89cm
Object history
Bought in 1861 for £2.
Subjects depicted
Cupids
Globe
Torches (Lighting Devices)
Mask
Summary
Plaquettes are small plaques or reliefs made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440ies with the desire to reproduce coins and hardstone engravings from ancient Greece and Rome. Some were made as collector's pieces, to be viewed and displayed in private, and others for practical purposes. They also inspired designs in other media, from architecture to bookbindings.
Bibliographic references
  • Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1861. In: Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, Arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol I. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 32
  • Maclagan, Eric. Catalogue of Italian Plaquettes . London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1924, p. 17
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
7434-1861

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O313759/an-allegory-plaquette-unknown/
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