Basin
1580-1599 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Few examples of Spanish domestic silver have survived from the great wealth of material recorded in archives and still-life paintings. This basin and its ewer (M.380-1956) belong to a rare set and may have avoided being melted down by its possible use in a church for baptisms, or in ceremonies in which the priest washes his hands. The decoration of interlaced bands (called strapwork ornament) on the rim of the basin was very popular on Spanish silver until about 1640. In contrast to the ewer's restrained decoration, its elongated spout and the grotesque mask beneath the spout are typical of the exaggerated, fantastical Mannerist style of the late 16th century.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, parcel-gilt and engraved |
| Brief description | Basin, silver, inner boss gilded, ribbed and engraved with a coat-of-arms, Spain, 1580-1599 |
| Physical description | Raised from a sheet. Outer flared rim gilded and engraved with strap work. Inner boss gilded, ribbed and engraved with a coat-of-arms. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | Silver Gallery:
Few examples of Spanish domestic silver have survived from the great wealth of material recorded in archives and still-life paintings. The ewer and basin belongs to a rare set and may have avoided being melted down by its possible use in a church for baptisms, or in ceremonies in which the priest washes his hands. The decoration of interlaced bands (called strapwork ornament) on the rim of the basin was very popular on Spanish silver until about 1640. In contrast to the ewer's restrained decoration, its elongated spout and the grotesque mask beneath the spout are typical of the exaggerated, fantastical Mannerist style of the late 16th century.(26/11/2002) |
| Credit line | Dr W.L. Hildburgh Bequest |
| Object history | The strapwork on the rim of the basin draws on Renaissance ornament, but the grotesque cast forming the ewer's handle and its elongated proportions are evidence of the arrival of Mannerism. Acquisition RF: 55/4478A |
| Summary | Few examples of Spanish domestic silver have survived from the great wealth of material recorded in archives and still-life paintings. This basin and its ewer (M.380-1956) belong to a rare set and may have avoided being melted down by its possible use in a church for baptisms, or in ceremonies in which the priest washes his hands. The decoration of interlaced bands (called strapwork ornament) on the rim of the basin was very popular on Spanish silver until about 1640. In contrast to the ewer's restrained decoration, its elongated spout and the grotesque mask beneath the spout are typical of the exaggerated, fantastical Mannerist style of the late 16th century. |
| Associated object | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.380A-1956 |
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| Record created | February 9, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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