Adoration of the Shepherds

late 15th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 500

Enamel painters in fifteenth-century Lombardy applied opaque colors on top of broad areas of brilliantly colored translucent enamels that were fused to grounds of silver. Their work is highly decorative; unlike enameled gold or enameled cooper, however, enameled silver is inherently unstable and easily perishes, so that examples seldom survive in good condition.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Adoration of the Shepherds
Date: late 15th century
Culture: Italian, Lombardy, probably Milan
Medium: Basse-taille and painted enamel on silver; gilt-silver frame mounted with silver and partly enameled gold, and set with emeralds and pearls
Dimensions: H. 5 3/8 in. (13.7 cm.); W. 4 in. (10.2 cm.)
Classification: Enamels
Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Object Number: 17.190.917
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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The Flagellation of Christ, Gold, silver, partly enameled gold, gilt-silver frame, Italian, Milan — The Flagellation of Christ
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ca. 1492–1503

Adoration of the Shepherds and Adoration of the Magi, Basse-taille and painted enamel on silver; silver-gilt frame, Italian, Lombardy, Milan or Ferrara — Adoration of the Shepherds and Adoration of the Magi
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probably ca. 1480–90, 19th century frame

Casket, Wood, overlaid with iron plaques damascened with gold and silver, Italian, probably Milan — Casket
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Adoring angel, Partly enameled gold, Italian, Milan — Adoring angel
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