scent-fountain

1576/1600

British Museum
London, United Kingdom

Scent fountain in form of vase on high foot body formed of half a Seychelles nut mounted in silver-gilt, embossed and chased; triangular mouth edged with band engraved with scrolls and joined to foot by two bands representing allegorical female figures, winged and with double serpentine tails; spout at one end in form of monstrous animal's head; baluster stem chased with three female masks and festoons of fruit; foot, band embossed with reptiles, another with swimming dolphins; cover similar and surmounted with modern addition of Jupiter astride his eagle.

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Details

Title: scent-fountain
Date Created: 1576/1600
Physical Dimensions: Height: 34.00cm; Height: 44.50cm (with finial (separated)); Length: 36.00cm; Width: 19.00cm; Diameter: 17.60cm (base); Length: 16.20cm (cover); Width: 12.50cm (cover); Weight: 1984.00g (body); Weight: 238.00g (finial)
External Link: British Museum collection online
Technique: chased; embossed; engraved; gilded; cast
Subject: mammal; bird; myth/legend; classical deity; animal; fruit; reptile; allegory/personification
Registration number: WB.125
Production place: Made in Augsburg
Material: seychelles nut; silver
Copyright: Photo: © Trustees of the British Museum
Acquisition: Bequeathed by Rothschild, Ferdinand Anselm. Previous owner/ex-collection von Rothschild, Anselm

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