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Portrait of Benedetto Pistrucci

ca. 1850
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 556
Benedetto Pistrucci taught gem carving to his children. This is an exceedingly rare tribute from a carver to her father and mentor. The buoyant curls and muttonchops above the timelessly classical drapery at the neck are easily interpretable as silvery white marks of distinction.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Portrait of Benedetto Pistrucci
  • Artist: Maria Elisa Pistrucci (British, 1824–1881, active London and Rome)
  • Date: ca. 1850
  • Culture: British, probably London
  • Medium: Sardonyx
  • Dimensions: Overall: 1 1/2 x 1 1/4 x 1/4 in. (3.9 x 3.3 x 0.7 cm); 38.7 x 32.5 x 6.8 mm
  • Classification: Lapidary Work-Gems
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Assunta Sommella Peluso, Ada Peluso, and Romano I. Peluso Gift, in memory of Ignazio Peluso, 2003
  • Object Number: 2003.464
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
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Head of Hercules, Maria Elisa Pistrucci  British, Onyx or sardonyx, Italian, Rome
Maria Elisa Pistrucci
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Grand Pianoforte, Érard , made in London French, Satinwood veneer, oak, spruce, iron, steel, ebony, ivory, gilding, mother-of-pearl, holly, mahogany, burl walnut, tulipwood, silver wire, British
Manufacturer Érard
Designer George Henry Blake
ca. 1840
Sardonyx cameo portrait of the Emperor Augustus, Sardonyx, Roman
Roman
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Cabinet, Jean Brandely  French, Oak veneered with cedar, walnut, ebony and ivory; silvered-bronze mounts, French, Paris
Designer Designed by Jean Brandely
Woodwork by Charles-Guillaume Diehl
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1867
English Bass Horn in B-flat, Frederick Pace  British, born Ireland, Brass, British
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