The sculpture is a bronze box with raised relief images on its surface. The lid features two cherubic figures holding a ribbon-like object on each side of an ornate pedestal or vase. The bronze material gives the sculpture a dark metallic color with a slightly weathered patina, highlighting the intricate details of the design. The box is rectangular, showcasing elaborate patterns and motifs on its sides, emphasizing its artisan quality. The sculpture's size suggests it is designed to be viewed up close, perhaps intended for personal or decorative use.
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The sculpture is a bronze box with raised relief images on its surface. The lid features two cherubic figures holding a ribbon-like object on each side of an ornate pedestal or vase. The bronze material gives the sculpture a dark metallic color with a slightly weathered patina, highlighting the intricate details of the design. The box is rectangular, showcasing elaborate patterns and motifs on its sides, emphasizing its artisan quality. The sculpture's size suggests it is designed to be viewed up close, perhaps intended for personal or decorative use.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

A Box

Paduan 16th Century

Date
c. 1500
Medium
bronze//Black lacquer over medium brown bronze
Dimensions
overall: 4.7 x 17.2 x 7.5 cm (1 7/8 x 6 3/4 x 2 15/16 in.)
Classification
Sculpture · Utilitarian Object
Accession number
1957.14.64
Credit line
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Time span
1401 to 1500
Department
CSD

Subjects and terms

  • mixed motif
  • Paduan
  • Bust
  • Renaissance
  • Garland
  • European Small Bronzes before 1900
  • Putti
  • Urn
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 43784. 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.