Shield - France - 1850-1900
Starting bid
€ 1
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Expert
Selected by Constance Rousseau
Master marquetry craftswoman with 4 years' expert experience. Trainee auctioneer at Sotheby's Paris.
Estimate € 250 - € 350
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Description from the seller
Decorative reproduction in cast iron, produced during the 19th century (Second Empire period or High Renaissance style, highly prized in Victorian times) of the escutcheon of Henry II, the famous King of France (1519-1559).
The historical original exemplar, dating from around 1555, is a masterpiece of ceremonial armour made of raised steel, damascened in gold and silver. The original work is today part of the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (a very close twin model or other pieces of its armour are also in the Louvre Museum).
Iconography features:
• The central scene: It depicts in meticulous detail a combat scene from the Battle of Cannae (216 BC), where Hannibal Barca and the Carthaginian army defeated the Romans. In the Renaissance era, this victory was used as a metaphor for France’s struggles against its own rivals.
• The ornaments: The surrounding border is richly decorated with Renaissance motifs, including mascarons (grotesque or mythological faces, including a Medusa head or deity at the top), allegorical figures, military trophies, and garlands of flowers. [1, 2, 3]
• The border: A relief border imitating a twisted rope adorns the whole piece. [1]
Decorative reproduction in cast iron, produced during the 19th century (Second Empire period or High Renaissance style, highly prized in Victorian times) of the escutcheon of Henry II, the famous King of France (1519-1559).
The historical original exemplar, dating from around 1555, is a masterpiece of ceremonial armour made of raised steel, damascened in gold and silver. The original work is today part of the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (a very close twin model or other pieces of its armour are also in the Louvre Museum).
Iconography features:
• The central scene: It depicts in meticulous detail a combat scene from the Battle of Cannae (216 BC), where Hannibal Barca and the Carthaginian army defeated the Romans. In the Renaissance era, this victory was used as a metaphor for France’s struggles against its own rivals.
• The ornaments: The surrounding border is richly decorated with Renaissance motifs, including mascarons (grotesque or mythological faces, including a Medusa head or deity at the top), allegorical figures, military trophies, and garlands of flowers. [1, 2, 3]
• The border: A relief border imitating a twisted rope adorns the whole piece. [1]
Details
Era
1400-1900
Material
Cast iron
Country of origin
France
Condition
Good condition, see description
Height
62 cm
Width
44 cm
Depth
5 cm
Weight
13 kg
Estimated period
1850-1900
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