ticketsMember | Make a donation

Nymph and Swan

Cameo by Benedetto Pistrucci Italian
Mount by the firm of Fortunato Pio Castellani Italian
ca. 1830–40
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 556
Even the most celebrated carvers did not scruple to borrow freely from authoritative sources. Nathaniel Marchant had already treated this composition in an intaglio carved for Lavinia, Countess Spencer (private collection, United Kingdom), but Pistrucci added an original flourish of drapery. One might understandably interpret the subject as Leda and the swan had not Marchant identified it as the nymph in Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso who accepts tablets bearing the names of deceased worthies from a fleet of swans (hence the disklike object proffered by the swan). Castellani’s delicate “archaeological-style” setting perfectly frames the curvilinear design.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Nymph and Swan
  • Maker: Cameo by Benedetto Pistrucci (Italian, 1783–1855, active England)
  • Maker: Mount by the firm of Fortunato Pio Castellani (Italian, 1794–1865)
  • Date: ca. 1830–40
  • Culture: Italian, Rome
  • Medium: Agate cameo; gold mount with black enamel
  • Dimensions: Overall: 1 11/16 x 1 3/8 in. (4.3 x 3.4 cm); visible cameo: 26.9 x 18.6 mm
  • Classification: Lapidary Work-Gems
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Assunta Sommella Peluso, Ada Peluso, and Romano I. Peluso Gift, in memory of Ignazio Peluso, 2007
  • Object Number: 2007.30
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Coronation of George IV, Benedetto Pistrucci Italian, Silver, British
Coronation of George IV
Benedetto Pistrucci
1821
Proof half sovereign of George III, Benedetto Pistrucci Italian, Gold, British
Proof half sovereign of George III
Benedetto Pistrucci
1817
Coronation of George IV, Benedetto Pistrucci Italian, Bronze, British
Coronation of George IV
Benedetto Pistrucci
1821
Coronation of George IV, Benedetto Pistrucci Italian, Silver, British
Coronation of George IV
Benedetto Pistrucci
1821
Distinguished Conduct Medal, granted by Queen Victoria, 1854, Benedetto Pistrucci Italian, Bronze, British
Distinguished Conduct Medal, granted by Queen Victoria, 1854
Benedetto Pistrucci
1854

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.