Perfume Burner Surmounted by a Satyr

Workshop of Desiderio da Firenze Italian

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.

Perfume Burner Surmounted by a Satyr, Workshop of Desiderio da Firenze (Italian, born Florence, active Padua, 1532–45), Binary alloy (copper, tin, with traces of zinc, iron, nickel, silver, and antimony); a brown to olive green patina and minor traces of gilding.

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Perfume Burner Surmounted by a Satyr, Workshop of Desiderio da Firenze (Italian, born Florence, active Padua, 1532–45), Binary alloy (copper, tin, with traces of zinc, iron, nickel, silver, and antimony); a brown to olive green patina and minor traces of gilding.
Perfume Burner Surmounted by a Satyr, Workshop of Desiderio da Firenze (Italian, born Florence, active Padua, 1532–45), Binary alloy (copper, tin, with traces of zinc, iron, nickel, silver, and antimony); a brown to olive green patina and minor traces of gilding.
Perfume Burner Surmounted by a Satyr, Workshop of Desiderio da Firenze (Italian, born Florence, active Padua, 1532–45), Binary alloy (copper, tin, with traces of zinc, iron, nickel, silver, and antimony); a brown to olive green patina and minor traces of gilding.
Perfume Burner Surmounted by a Satyr, Workshop of Desiderio da Firenze (Italian, born Florence, active Padua, 1532–45), Binary alloy (copper, tin, with traces of zinc, iron, nickel, silver, and antimony); a brown to olive green patina and minor traces of gilding.
Perfume Burner Surmounted by a Satyr, Workshop of Desiderio da Firenze (Italian, born Florence, active Padua, 1532–45), Binary alloy (copper, tin, with traces of zinc, iron, nickel, silver, and antimony); a brown to olive green patina and minor traces of gilding.
Perfume Burner Surmounted by a Satyr, Workshop of Desiderio da Firenze (Italian, born Florence, active Padua, 1532–45), Binary alloy (copper, tin, with traces of zinc, iron, nickel, silver, and antimony); a brown to olive green patina and minor traces of gilding.
Perfume Burner Surmounted by a Satyr, Workshop of Desiderio da Firenze (Italian, born Florence, active Padua, 1532–45), Binary alloy (copper, tin, with traces of zinc, iron, nickel, silver, and antimony); a brown to olive green patina and minor traces of gilding.
Perfume Burner Surmounted by a Satyr, Workshop of Desiderio da Firenze (Italian, born Florence, active Padua, 1532–45), Binary alloy (copper, tin, with traces of zinc, iron, nickel, silver, and antimony); a brown to olive green patina and minor traces of gilding.
Perfume Burner Surmounted by a Satyr, Workshop of Desiderio da Firenze (Italian, born Florence, active Padua, 1532–45), Binary alloy (copper, tin, with traces of zinc, iron, nickel, silver, and antimony); a brown to olive green patina and minor traces of gilding.
Perfume Burner Surmounted by a Satyr, Workshop of Desiderio da Firenze (Italian, born Florence, active Padua, 1532–45), Binary alloy (copper, tin, with traces of zinc, iron, nickel, silver, and antimony); a brown to olive green patina and minor traces of gilding.
Perfume Burner Surmounted by a Satyr, Workshop of Desiderio da Firenze (Italian, born Florence, active Padua, 1532–45), Binary alloy (copper, tin, with traces of zinc, iron, nickel, silver, and antimony); a brown to olive green patina and minor traces of gilding.

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