Mortar with Sphinxes, Vases, and Rope-work Handles

early 16th century

Italian 16th Century

Associated Names
Italian 16th Century

Artist

The sculpture is a small vessel or mortar with intricate decorative motifs. It features carved floral designs and stylized figures or masks on each side. The sculpture has a brown, weathered appearance, indicating it may be made of bronze or a similar dark metal. The vessel has a bulbous body with a wide rim and a narrow base, creating a trumpet-like silhouette. Its surface is embossed, adding to its rich texture and historical appearance.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Dark brown bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 9.5 x 11.8 cm (3 3/4 x 4 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.102

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. 99, 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 with two rope-shaped handles.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 577.

1994

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

Wikidata ID

Q63809697

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