Miniature porringer
The subject seems deliberately enigmatic. Venus or a nymph lies open-eyed, but in a trancelike state, cradling Cupid in one arms and his bow in the other. Cupid is only momentarily hampered, however, for he appears ready to slip loose and strike a blow with an arrow drawn from his unguarded quiver.
The artist of this erotic group shows knowledge of various stylistic trends. A point of departure may have been Giovanni Bologna’s bronze of a sleeping nymph spied upon by a satyr (the best documented version was in Dresden by 1587; Keutner, H., in Giambologna. Exhibition catalogue, Arts Council of Great Britain, London, 1978, no. 69). Our woodcarver, encouraged by the low-lying figures, has explored a format that is simultaneously a high relief meant to be viewed from above and a statuette with secondary viewpoints, as in a group of German woodcarvings of around 1630 (Rasmussren, J. Barockplastik in Norddeutschland. Exhibition catalogue, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, 1977, nos. 53, 54; figures of Lucretia and a sleeping nude attributed provisionally to Zacharias Hegewald, 1596–1639). The present model, though voluptuous, is relatively classicizing and may speak for a Flemish carver experimenting with this relief-like manner. In any case, it is worthy of a princely Kunstkammer and a welcome addition to the Museum’s small collection of Baroque woodcarvings.
The artist of this erotic group shows knowledge of various stylistic trends. A point of departure may have been Giovanni Bologna’s bronze of a sleeping nymph spied upon by a satyr (the best documented version was in Dresden by 1587; Keutner, H., in Giambologna. Exhibition catalogue, Arts Council of Great Britain, London, 1978, no. 69). Our woodcarver, encouraged by the low-lying figures, has explored a format that is simultaneously a high relief meant to be viewed from above and a statuette with secondary viewpoints, as in a group of German woodcarvings of around 1630 (Rasmussren, J. Barockplastik in Norddeutschland. Exhibition catalogue, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, 1977, nos. 53, 54; figures of Lucretia and a sleeping nude attributed provisionally to Zacharias Hegewald, 1596–1639). The present model, though voluptuous, is relatively classicizing and may speak for a Flemish carver experimenting with this relief-like manner. In any case, it is worthy of a princely Kunstkammer and a welcome addition to the Museum’s small collection of Baroque woodcarvings.
Artwork Details
- Title: Miniature porringer
- Maker: Probably I. H.
- Date: 1694–95
- Culture: British, London
- Medium: Silver
- Dimensions: Height: 1 in. (2.5 cm);
Diameter: 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm) - Classification: Metalwork-Silver-Miniature
- Credit Line: The Joseph M. and Aimee Loeb May Collection, 1963
- Object Number: 63.53.10
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
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I. H.
1750–75
William Lukin I
1716/17
Lewis Mettayer
1709–10
I N
1675/76
I H
1675–76
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