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Perfume Burner Surmounted by a Satyr

Workshop of Desiderio da Firenze Italian
ca. 1530–40
Not on view
Perfume burners were used in wealthy Renaissance domestic interiors to impart fragrant aromas through the burning of scented pastilles. The scents emanating from perfume burners were believed to prevent disease and promote physical and mental well-being.
This perfume burner and 1975.1.1397 are of exceptional size, complexity, and quality. Holes throughout the body of the piece as well as in the mouth and ears of the satyr would have allowed the scented smoke to escape from the interior. However, this particular object shows no signs of use, either suggesting that it served a purely decorative function or that the present bottom plate is a later replacement.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Perfume Burner Surmounted by a Satyr
  • Artist: Workshop of Desiderio da Firenze (Italian, born Florence, active Padua, 1532–45)
  • Date: ca. 1530–40
  • Medium: Binary alloy (copper, tin, with traces of zinc, iron, nickel, silver, and antimony); a brown to olive green patina and minor traces of gilding.
  • Dimensions: H. overall 50 cm, h. of base 10.5 cm; h. of middle section, including bajonet joint, 15.5 cm; h. of cover, including the bajonet joint 26.4 cm.
  • Classification: Metalwork-Bronze
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.1396
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

More Artwork

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Warrior on Horseback, Desiderio da Firenze Italian, Ternary alloy of copper, zinc and tin, with small traces of<br/>lead, iron, nickel, silver, and antimony (both horse and rider);<br/>Black lacquer patina under a chocolate brown patina (on<br/>both horse and rider); the eyes of the horse are inlaid with<br/>silver.
Warrior on Horseback
Desiderio da Firenze
ca. 1540
Satyr, Desiderio da Firenze Italian, Copper alloy with a reddish brown patina; the base and shell with a dark brown patina.
Satyr
Desiderio da Firenze
Severo Calzetta da Ravenna
ca. 1530
Perfume Burner Surmounted by a Satyr, Desiderio da Firenze Italian, The cover and body are binary bronze (copper and tin, with traces of zinc, iron, nickel, silver, and antimony); the foot is cast in brass (copperzinc alloy with very minor amounts of tin, lead, and the usual copper impurities of iron, nickel, silver, and antimony).
Perfume Burner Surmounted by a Satyr
Desiderio da Firenze
ca. 1540–50
Plate (piatto): The story of Aeneas, Francesco Xanto Avelli da Rovigo Italian, Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware)
Plate (piatto): The story of Aeneas
Francesco Xanto Avelli da Rovigo
1532
Armorial Plate (tondino): The story of King Midas, Nicola da Urbino Italian, Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware)
Armorial Plate (tondino): The story of King Midas
Nicola da Urbino
ca. 1520–25

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