Christ and the Virgin

last quarter 15th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 500

The inscription probably records the name of the donor and may be translated, "Jacopo, son of the notary Vannis, son of Cole [Nicola?]." Niello is an alloy of silver, copper, and lead to which sulphur and often borax are added. In pulverized form this composition is applied to a silver plaque that has been prepared with an incised design and heated until the composition and the silver fuse. When cool, the plaque is scraped until the blackened composition remains in the incised areas alone and is then rubbed until the silver regains its shine.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Christ and the Virgin
Date: last quarter 15th century
Culture: Italian, Florence
Medium: Silver, niello, and gilt bronze
Dimensions: Overall: 7 × 3 1/2 in. (17.8 × 8.9 cm)
Classification: Metalwork-Silver In Combination
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1951
Object Number: 51.153
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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