Copy of Doors
1865 (made), ca. 1865 (cast), 1180 (made)
1865 (made), ca. 1865 (cast), 1180 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In 1865, Giovanni Franchi made a copy of the original cast bronze doors from Pisa Cathedral through a process called electrotyping. This uses electricity
to deposit copper particles into a mould, creating
a three-dimensional impression of an object.
The Museum commissioned the copies of the doors to record what are rare survivals of the work of Bonanus of Pisa, a 12th-century Italian sculptor.
The electrotypes were coated with copper sulphate to mimic the bronze finish of the originals.
to deposit copper particles into a mould, creating
a three-dimensional impression of an object.
The Museum commissioned the copies of the doors to record what are rare survivals of the work of Bonanus of Pisa, a 12th-century Italian sculptor.
The electrotypes were coated with copper sulphate to mimic the bronze finish of the originals.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | |
| Materials and techniques | Electrotype |
| Brief description | Electrotype copy of the Porta di San Ranierei doors from Pisa Cathedral, depicting scenes from the Life of Christ. Made by Giovanni Franchi and Son, about 1865. |
| Physical description | Electrotype coy of the 'Porta di San Ranieri' bronze doors in the south transept of the Cathedral of Pisa. Starting at the bottom the scenes read from left to right; a row of Prophets, the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity and the Annunciation to the Shepherds, the Journey of the Magi, the Presentation, the Flight into Egypt, the Massacre of the Innocents, the Baptism, the Temptation, the Transfiguration, the Raising of Lazarus, the Entry into Jerusalem, the Washing of the Feet of the Disciples, the Last Supper, the Betrayal, the Crucifixion, the Descent into Hell, the Maries at the Sepulchre, the Ascension, the Death of the Virgin, Christ enthroned between Angels, and the Virgin enthroned between Angels. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Object history | Electrotype copy of the Porta di San Ranieri doors on the south transept of Pisa Cathedral, created in bronze in about 1180 by Bonanus of Pisa. The copy was created by Giovanni Franchi and Son in about 1865 and is made from bronzed copper. The Museum commissioned the copies and these were purchased from Messrs Franchi & Sons in 1865 for £550. |
| Historical context | Starting at the bottom the scenes read from left to right; a row of Prophets, the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity and the Annunciation to the Shepherds, the Journey of the Magi, the Presentation, the Flight into Egypt, the Massacre of the Innocents, the Baptism, the Temptation, the Transfiguration, the Raising of Lazarus, the Entry into Jerusalem, the Washing of the Feet of the Disciples, the Last Supper, the Betrayal, the Crucifixion, the Descent into Hell, the Maries at the Sepulchre, the Ascension, the Death of the Virgin, Christ enthroned between Angels, and the Virgin enthroned between Angels. |
| Summary | In 1865, Giovanni Franchi made a copy of the original cast bronze doors from Pisa Cathedral through a process called electrotyping. This uses electricity to deposit copper particles into a mould, creating a three-dimensional impression of an object. The Museum commissioned the copies of the doors to record what are rare survivals of the work of Bonanus of Pisa, a 12th-century Italian sculptor. The electrotypes were coated with copper sulphate to mimic the bronze finish of the originals. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | REPRO.1865-58 |
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| Record created | June 28, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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