Inkwell in the Form of a Grotesque Head

c. 1850

Probably French 19th Century (imitator of Roman, 2nd/3rd Century)

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    copper alloy with glass insert

  • Credit Line

    Widener Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 12.1 x 9.5 x 10.5 cm (4 3/4 x 3 3/4 x 4 1/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1942.9.276

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Julien Gréau, Paris, by 1885; Léopold Goldschmidt [1830-1904], Paris, after 1885;[1] (Lowengard, Paris); purchased 23 August 1905 by Peter A.B. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheritance from the Estate of Peter A.B. Widener by gift through power of appointment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, 1942; gift 1942 to NGA.
[1] Widener 1935, 34.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1878

  • Reportedly in the Retrospective Exhibition, Paris, 1878.

Bibliography

1885

  • Collection J[ulien] Gréau: Catalogue des bronzes antiques et des objets d'art du Moyen Age et de la Renaissance. Paris, 1885: 84, 86, no. 387, repro. 86.

1935

  • Inventory of the Objects d'Art at Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, The Estate of the Late P.A.B. Widener. Philadelphia, 1935: 34.

1942

  • Works of Art from the Widener Collection. Foreword by David Finley and John Walker. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1942: 10, as French 15th Century, Reliquary, in the form of an Arab's head, copper gilt.

1993

  • Distelberger, Rudolf, Alison Luchs, Philippe Verdier, and Timonthy H. Wilson. Western Decorative Arts, Part I: Medieval, Renaissance, and Historicizing Styles including Metalwork, Enamels, and Ceramics. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. Washington, 1993: 57-60, repro. 58.

Wikidata ID

Q62107069

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