'The Italian Poets' Shield

Description

Electrotype of a shield repousse with allegorical subjects from the Italian poets, original French designed by Antoine Vechte c. 1851: English, manufactured by Elkington & Co. c.1854 - 1886

Museum reference

A.1886.121

Collection

Decorative and Applied Art

Object name

Shield, Electrotype

Production information

Elkington & Co. 1861 - 1963, Electrotyper
London, England, Northern Europe
Vechte, Antoine, 1800 - 1868, Manufacturer of original
France, Western Europe

Date

19th century

Materials

Copper alloy

Physical description

Large circular shield, with raised outer rim with incised repeating pattern. Inside is a wide band with floral pattern and four medallions featuring busts in side profile spaced at regular intervals. A thin raised band of overlapping leaf motifs separated the outer band and the central decorative frieze. The central panels depicts allegorical subjects, including four figures and four masks on a ground of foliate motifs. The central boss terminates in a spike. The base of the boss is decorated with four bearded faces which raised into a flat disk and a further band of decoration below the base of the spike.

Associations

South Kensington Museum

References

Edgcumbe, Richard in Simon Jervis ed. Art and Design in Europe and America, 1800-1900, London, The Herbert Press, 1987, ill. pp.78-9

Illustrated Catalogue of Electrotype Reproduction of Works of Art from Originals in the South Kensington Museum, London, 1873