The Martyrdom of St. Lawrence
Inkstand
ca. 1650 (made)
ca. 1650 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This triangular bronze inkstand is representing the Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence and is made in the middle of the 17th century in Florence.
The great majority of bronzes produced during the Italian Renaissance were made for use, so-called 'functional bronzes', which, however beautiful in their own right, nevertheless had some practical use beyond simple ornament.
St. Lawrence (d. 258) was a deacon and martyr in Rome. Not a lot is known about his life, but he was closely associated with Pope Sixtus II, who was martyred a few days before him in the persecution of Valerian.
The great majority of bronzes produced during the Italian Renaissance were made for use, so-called 'functional bronzes', which, however beautiful in their own right, nevertheless had some practical use beyond simple ornament.
St. Lawrence (d. 258) was a deacon and martyr in Rome. Not a lot is known about his life, but he was closely associated with Pope Sixtus II, who was martyred a few days before him in the persecution of Valerian.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
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| Title | The Martyrdom of St. Lawrence (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Cast bronze |
| Brief description | Inkstand, bronze, the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence, Italy (Florence), circa 1650 |
| Physical description | Inkstand on a curved triangular base supported by three feet in the form of devils. At one and of the base the Emperor Valerian sits on a chair, and with his right hand points to the inkstand in the centre of the base, which is in the form of a cauldron. Opposite Valerian St. Laurence lies back on a gridiron, his right arm raised. A third figure, kneeling, holds a stick used to keep Saint Laurence in place. A fourth figure kneels between the cauldron and gridiron, holding bellows in his left hand. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Purchased with the aid of a contribution from the bequest of Captain H.B. Murray (£852) and (£112 from Purchase Grant), in 1963, for a total of £964 12s. 7d. Bought from French & Co, New York (2, 700 Dollar). |
| Production | formerly ascribed to Ferdinando Tacca |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This triangular bronze inkstand is representing the Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence and is made in the middle of the 17th century in Florence. The great majority of bronzes produced during the Italian Renaissance were made for use, so-called 'functional bronzes', which, however beautiful in their own right, nevertheless had some practical use beyond simple ornament. St. Lawrence (d. 258) was a deacon and martyr in Rome. Not a lot is known about his life, but he was closely associated with Pope Sixtus II, who was martyred a few days before him in the persecution of Valerian. |
| Bibliographic reference | Bode, W., Collection of J. Pierpont Morgan: Bronzes of the Renaissance and Subsequent Periodes, Paris 1910, (2 vols) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.3:1-1963 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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