On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Perfume Burner

1868 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This is an electrotype copy of an exotic perfume burner and cover in the royal collection of plate at Windsor Castle. The silver-gilt original is not marked but is probably the work of a continental silversmith working in the 1750s.

Materials & Making
The development of the electrotyping process whereby works of art could be accurately reproduced reached its peak in Britain in the 1860s and 1870s. Certain approved commercial firms, such as Elkington & Co. and Franchi & Sons, were given access to hitherto inaccessible private collections so that moulds of the individual works of art could be taken, and copies produced from them. The royal collection at Windsor was one of these collections.

Trade
This is one of a series of electrotypes - mostly of English wares - copied by Franchi & Sons in 1868. Electrotypes were frequently used for educational purposes. They would be mounted in box-frames and sent round art schools for students to draw or copy. The museum also sold electrotype copies of works of art on a commercial basis. This perfume burner was for sale in the 1880s at the comparatively high price of £25.

Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Container
  • Lid
Materials and techniques
Electrotype metal
Brief description
Electrotype of perfume burner in shape of elephant(container) carrying figures (lid)
Dimensions
  • Height: 37cm
  • Width: 31cm
  • Depth: 12cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 01/06/1999 by jc
Gallery label
(27/03/2003)
British Galleries:
An electrotype is a cheap metal copy of a valuable work of art. By using an electric current, the replica is made by depositing metal, usually copper, within a mould. The copy can be plated to match the original. Electrotyping was most popular in the second half of the 19th century.
Object history
Made in London by Messrs Franchi & Son
Summary
Object Type
This is an electrotype copy of an exotic perfume burner and cover in the royal collection of plate at Windsor Castle. The silver-gilt original is not marked but is probably the work of a continental silversmith working in the 1750s.

Materials & Making
The development of the electrotyping process whereby works of art could be accurately reproduced reached its peak in Britain in the 1860s and 1870s. Certain approved commercial firms, such as Elkington & Co. and Franchi & Sons, were given access to hitherto inaccessible private collections so that moulds of the individual works of art could be taken, and copies produced from them. The royal collection at Windsor was one of these collections.

Trade
This is one of a series of electrotypes - mostly of English wares - copied by Franchi & Sons in 1868. Electrotypes were frequently used for educational purposes. They would be mounted in box-frames and sent round art schools for students to draw or copy. The museum also sold electrotype copies of works of art on a commercial basis. This perfume burner was for sale in the 1880s at the comparatively high price of £25.
Collection
Accession number
REPRO.1868:1, 2-97

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest