
Read the visual description
The sculpture depicts a small, ornate triangular structure resembling a box with a circular opening at the top front. The exterior is adorned with decorative reliefs, including a central face with detailed wavy hair and laurel embellishments around it, and winged cherub-like figures at the top triangle's edges. The sculpture is predominantly dark brown with a metallic finish, suggesting it is made of bronze or a similar metal. The structure stands on small spherical feet, giving it an elevated presence. The design and intricate patterns suggest a classical influence, capturing viewers' attention with its detailed motifs and the craftsmanship of its metallic surface.
National Gallery of Art · Sculpture
A Sand-Box
Paduan 16th Century
- Date
- c. 1500
- Medium
- bronze//Black lacquer over medium brown bronze
- Dimensions
- overall: 8 x 10.6 x 9.4 cm (3 1/8 x 4 3/16 x 3 11/16 in.)
- Classification
- Sculpture · Utilitarian Object
- Accession number
- 1957.14.62
- Credit line
- Samuel H. Kress Collection
- Time span
- 1401 to 1500
- Department
- CSD
Subjects and terms
- Paduan
- classical
- mythology
- Renaissance
- Female head
- European Small Bronzes before 1900
- Medusa head
- Harpies
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.
NGA object ID 43782. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.