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Trivulzio set of knives (12 knives with carving knife) Detail of

Anonymous Italian. Lombard workshop

Sforzesco Castle

Sforzesco Castle
Milan, Italy

The set of table knives with carving knife, although composed of
pieces from different sets, is homogeneous for area of ​​origin and dating. These knives are characterised by the
decoration on their handles, done with the niello
technique (a surface finishing process for gold and silver objects, also known
as "black finish" from the opaque black colour of the treated parts,
which are first engraved and then filled with a dark material). Decorative themes represent bunches of grapes,
half-busts of female and male figures in profile, moralising mottoes and
serpentine engravings on the spine.
The handle is finished with an ornamental pinecone motif. The
decorative themes suggest that the pieces were made for a wedding, as the text
of some inscriptions indicates: "FINCHÈ
VIVO"; "DA POI LA MORTE"; "IN TI SOLA"; "DUM
VIVAM"; "CHON FEDE"; "FIDELITAS ET AMOR"; "NULUS
AMOR DURAT" "SPERO LUCEM".

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  • Title: Trivulzio set of knives (12 knives with carving knife) Detail of
  • Creator: Anonymous Italian. Lombard workshop
  • Date Created: End of the 15th century(last quarter)
  • Location: Museo dei Mobili e delle Sculture lignee, Castello Sforzesco, Milan, Italy
  • Location Created: Italy, Milan workshop
  • Physical Dimensions: Trinciante 33 cm., coltelli 26,5 cm., coltelli piccoli 24 e 23,5 cm
  • Provenance: Trivulzio collection, purchase 1935
  • Type: Bronze
  • Rights: Comune di Milano - Civiche Raccolte Artistiche, Castello Sforzesco, Milano
  • External Link: https://museodeimobili.milanocastello.it/
  • Medium: Silver, bronze
  • Art Form: Chiseling and niello technique
  • Original title: Servizio di coltelli Trivulzio (dodici coltelli e un trinciante)
Sforzesco Castle

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