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Lamp or Censer

14th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 306
This spectacular example of goldsmith's work has been attributed to Giovannino de Grassi, an artist active in northern Italy. Certain elements prompt an attribution to Venice, which recieved strong stylistic cross-currents from both northern Europe and central Italy. The piece is closely connected to other works that blend prophetic figures with twining vines and leaves to recall the Tree of Jesse–a motif representing the line of Christ's forerunners. Furthermore, the lamp inherently produces light, symbolic of revelation and education, so that the function of the object dramatically describes the theological significance of its subjects.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Lamp or Censer
  • Date: 14th century
  • Culture: North Italian
  • Medium: Gilt-copper alloy, silver, enamel en ronde bosse, rock crystal
  • Dimensions: Overall (with chain): 25 x 5 3/4 in. (63.5 x 14.6 cm)
    Overall (without chain): 16 3/16 x 5 3/4 in. (41.1 x 14.6 cm)
    chain length: 8 13/16 in. (22.4 cm)
  • Classification: Metalwork-Copper
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.190.827
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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Censer with Animal and Scroll Motifs, Copper alloy, North Italian
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Reliquary Cross
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Base of an Altar Cross with Reading Angels Sitting on Dragons and Standing Church Fathers, Copper alloy, cast and gilt, North Italian
Base of an Altar Cross with Reading Angels Sitting on Dragons and Standing Church Fathers
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ca. 1175–1225
Oliphant, Elephant ivory, metal mounts, South Italian
Oliphant
South Italian
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