The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art Object

The Usefulness of Magnificence: Silver and the English Court

Ellenor M. Alcorn, Associate Curator, Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, discusses how in England, as in Europe, a rich display of silver was essential to the expression of power. Discover how English sovereigns from Elizabeth I to George III and their courtiers competed culturally on the international stage, commissioning silver and other luxury goods to establish their stature. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition British Silver: The Wealth of a Nation, on view May 15, 2012–January 20, 2013.

Recorded October 12, 2012

David Roentgen: Long-Case Clock
(00:00:52)

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 10702 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16956 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3033 views

She-bear

Andrea Briosco, called Riccio (Italian, Trent 1470–1532 Padua)

Date:: early 16th century
Culture:: Italian (Padua)
Medium:: Bronze, dark olive-brown patina.
Dimensions:: H. 3-1/2 in. (8.9 cm.)
Classification:: Sculpture
Credit Line:: Gift of Ernst Rosenfeld, 1934
Accession Number:: 34.48

This artwork is not on display

Provenance

Sigismond Bardac , Paris ; J. Pierpont Morgan , New York ; Enrico Caruso (until 1923; sale, American Art Galleries, New York, March 8, 1923, no. 1000, to Canessa); Ercole Canessa (until 1930; sale, American Art Galleries, New York, March 29, 1930, no. 41); Ernst Rosenfeld (until 1934; to MMA)
See also
Who
Andrea Briosco, called Riccio (32)
What
Metal (59,587)

Sculpture (24,354)

Copper alloy (16,651)

Bronze (11,649)

Statues (4,252)

Figurines (3,399)

Patina (370)
Where
Europe (150,013)

Italy (24,981)

Padua (65)
When
A.D. 1400-1600 (20,619)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,264)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Venice and Northern Italy, 1400–1600 A.D.

WHAT IS MYMET?

The Usefulness of Magnificence: Silver and the English Court

She-bear

Andrea Briosco, called Riccio (Italian, Trent 1470–1532 Padua)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store

WHAT IS MYMET?

Already have a mymet account? Sign in

The Usefulness of Magnificence: Silver and the English Court

Related Content

She-bear

Andrea Briosco, called Riccio (Italian, Trent 1470–1532 Padua)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store