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Rothschild Lamp Bronze on wood base, 19.4 x 22.9 x 7.3 cm, by Andrea Briosco (Riccio), c. 1510–20 The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City |
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This intricately detailed lamp, crafted using the lost-wax method,
is designed to resemble an ancient galleon, and is decorated with
land and sea motifs. Riccio shaped the wax model by rotating it on
a stand and using a wooden tool to create a series of precisely formed
curves that fill the space in a visually striking way. The final cast
metal surface is exceptionally smooth, showing minimal marks from
the tooling process. Two friezes on the sides depict children playing
with rams, and a large bearded mask adorns the lid at the stern of
the vessel. The wooden base is a later addition. This lamp is believed
to be the last of three surviving lamps created by Riccio. The other
two, the Cadogan lamp and the Morgan lamp, are housed
in the V&A in London and the Frick Collection in New York, respectively.
Notably, this lamp is the most complete, retaining both its lid and
legs. It's possible that Riccio intended this lamp as a present for one
of his learned patrons in Padua. |
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