Foot of a Cup
ca. 1560 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Originally, this circular foot supported a shallow bowl (tazza) or a cup. The niches and columns of the stem are based on 16th-century architecture. The figures embossed on the base hold musical instruments and the putti on the stem would have held symbols or instruments. It is a fine example of Renaissance ornament.
The detachable upper part may have been in a different position on the stem. The parts of the stem of this tazza seem to have been reassembled in the wrong order. At some point in its history, the bowl of the tazza was lost. Many tazze had beautiful embossed plaques in their bowls. Dealers, particularly in the 19th century, often detached the plaques and sold them as works of art in their own right.
The detachable upper part may have been in a different position on the stem. The parts of the stem of this tazza seem to have been reassembled in the wrong order. At some point in its history, the bowl of the tazza was lost. Many tazze had beautiful embossed plaques in their bowls. Dealers, particularly in the 19th century, often detached the plaques and sold them as works of art in their own right.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Silver-gilt with embossed strapwork |
| Brief description | Circular foot of a cup or tazza, with grotesque masks and figures of musicians, architectural stem with putti in niches, ca. 1570, Malines |
| Physical description | Circular foot, with embossed strapwork and grotesque masks, figures of musicians. Architectural stem with putti in niches and baluster shaped corinthian columns. With removable support for missing top. Gilding applied after marks. Bolts from core now missing. The stem is decorated with 5 putti which would probably have held symbols. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Upper lip of foot: unidentifiable mark in shield; fleur-de-lis in escutcheon shape; possible "I" date letter, struck over another mark |
| Gallery label |
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| Object history | The ornament has ingredients of Antwerp Mannerism in its strapwork, and subject matter (music and architectural elements). The band of naturalistic foliage just precedes heavy use of strapwork so very early Mannerism. TS suspects the detachable top was higher up corresponding the the identical element at the base of the stem: the marks are upside down! Neg no.: P 652; P 653; HG 2468 |
| Summary | Originally, this circular foot supported a shallow bowl (tazza) or a cup. The niches and columns of the stem are based on 16th-century architecture. The figures embossed on the base hold musical instruments and the putti on the stem would have held symbols or instruments. It is a fine example of Renaissance ornament. The detachable upper part may have been in a different position on the stem. The parts of the stem of this tazza seem to have been reassembled in the wrong order. At some point in its history, the bowl of the tazza was lost. Many tazze had beautiful embossed plaques in their bowls. Dealers, particularly in the 19th century, often detached the plaques and sold them as works of art in their own right. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.10:1, 2-1956 |
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| Record created | February 19, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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