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Not currently on display at the V&A

Frame

1862 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This frame was shown at the International Exhibition in London in 1862. The Museum bought it directly from the exhibition for £75. At that time the Museum bought many modern pieces that demonstrated fine craftsmanship, to serve as inspiration for modern designers and carvers.

Professor Pietro Giusti exhibited several carved frames in a similar style, and was awarded a medal at the exhibition. All the frames were carved, as this one is, in the style of about 1500. Siena had always been famous for wood carvers. There were several carving workshops there in the middle of the 19th century, when woodcarving was undergoing a revival all over Europe. They produced fine-quality work in historic styles, mainly for rich, middle-class customers. The finer details of the carving are shown in relief against a gilded ground.

At the 1862 International Exhibition Giusti exhibited the frame together with the painting of the Virgin and Child with the Infant Baptist. Although the painting is contemporary with the style of the frame, it was heavily over-painted in the middle of the 19th century.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Frame
  • Painting
Materials and techniques
Carved and gilded walnut
Brief description
Frame of tabernacle form, containing painting of Virgin and Child, in Renaissance style, of carved walnut, some of the carving against a stippled, gilded ground; Italian, Siena, 1862, made by Professor Pietro Giusti, for the London Exhibition, 1862
Physical description
A frame of tabernacle form, with semi-circular pediment, carved in walnut, with panels of Renaissance ornament in relief against a gilded ground.
Dimensions
  • Approx. height: 240cm
  • Approx. width: 94cm
  • Approx. depth: 20cm
Measurements need to be checked in gallery when conditions are easier
Style
Marks and inscriptions
1862 (Date; On cartouche at base of mirror; Incised)
Gallery label
  • Frame, with Virgin and Child 1862 Shown at the International Exhibition, London, 1862 Professor Giusti ran a large workshop including ten carvers in his native Siena, a town famous for wood carving. The design of this frame is derived from 16th-century Tuscan carvings. The painting is a panel of about 1500, later heavily restored, which Giusti incorporated for display purposes. The Museum bought the object as an example of high-quality carving. Italy, Siena; designed by Professor Pietro Giusti and made in his workshop Gilded walnut Bought at the exhibition for £75 (Gallery 101 label text)(05/08/2015)
  • FRAME 8053-1862 'American and European Art and Design 1800-1900' Bought for £75 from the London 1862 Exhibition, this frame is derived from Tuscan carvings of about 1500. The painting of a Virgin and Child with the Infant Baptist is an old panel heavily overpainted about 1850.(1987-2006)
  • Europe and America 1800-1900, room 101 FRAME, WITH VIRGIN AND CHILD 1862 Shown at the International Exhibition, London, 1862 Italy, Siena; designed and made by Professor Pietro Giusti Walnut, carved and gilded Bought at the exhibition for £75 Museum no. 8053-1862 The Museum bought the frame as an example of high quality carving. The design is derived from Tuscan carvings of about 1500. Siena was famous for wood carvers, but little is known about Professor Pietro Giusti. The painting is an old panel, heavily overpainted about 1850. It was put into the frame by the Museum simply for display purposes.(2006)
Subjects depicted
Summary
This frame was shown at the International Exhibition in London in 1862. The Museum bought it directly from the exhibition for £75. At that time the Museum bought many modern pieces that demonstrated fine craftsmanship, to serve as inspiration for modern designers and carvers.

Professor Pietro Giusti exhibited several carved frames in a similar style, and was awarded a medal at the exhibition. All the frames were carved, as this one is, in the style of about 1500. Siena had always been famous for wood carvers. There were several carving workshops there in the middle of the 19th century, when woodcarving was undergoing a revival all over Europe. They produced fine-quality work in historic styles, mainly for rich, middle-class customers. The finer details of the carving are shown in relief against a gilded ground.

At the 1862 International Exhibition Giusti exhibited the frame together with the painting of the Virgin and Child with the Infant Baptist. Although the painting is contemporary with the style of the frame, it was heavily over-painted in the middle of the 19th century.
Bibliographic reference
Waring, J. B., Masterpieces of Industrial art and Sculpture at the International Exhibition, London, 1862 (London, 1863), plate 225 and text opposite. Chiarugi, Simone, Botteghe di Mobilieri in Toscana 1780-1900 (Florence, S.P.E.S., 1994) 2 vols, illus. ISBN 88 7242 269 8, illustrated vol. II, p. 205, fig. 264 Rowell, Christopher. "The Kingston Lacy 'Raphael' and its Frame (1853-56) by Pietro Giusti of Siena", National Trust Historic Houses & Collections Annual, 2014 (National Trust / Apollo, 2014), pp. 40-47, reference p. 44 and p. 47, note 55.
Collection
Accession number
8053:1-1862

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Record createdJune 1, 2001
Record URL
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