Mortar with Sphinxes and Vases

early 16th century

Italian 16th Century

Associated Names
Italian 16th Century

Artist

The sculpture is a bronze mortar with intricate relief decorations, including figures, garlands, and two winged human-like figures on either side of a central urn motif. The figures are shown in a kneeling position with garlands above them, incorporating carvings of fruits or floral elements. The sculpture has a dark patina with natural color variations of aged bronze and some lighter areas highlighting the relief work. The conical-shaped mortar flares outward at the top, and is supported by a circular base. The craftsmanship shows a high level of detail, making it appear as both a functional and decorative object.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Dark brown bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 10.2 x 13.2 cm (4 x 5 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.101

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his estate; purchased 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London and New York); purchased 1945 by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York; gift 1957 to NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1931

  • Ricci, Seymour de. The Gustave Dreyfus Collection: Renaissance Bronzes. Oxford, 1931: 110, no. 98, pl. 56.

1951

  • Renaissance Bronzes: Statuettes, Reliefs and Plaquettes, Medals and Coins from the Kress Collection. Introduction by Perry B. Cott. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1951: 140, as Mortar ornamented with garlands, bucranes and sphinxes.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 571.

1994

  • Sculpture: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994: 116, repro.

Inscriptions

under belt of garlands: A..bo..c

Wikidata ID

Q63809696

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