A lady seated holding a mirror
Statuette
ca. 1750 (made)
ca. 1750 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This ivory statuette of a lady with a mirror is probably made in Germany or perhaps in France in ca. 1750 by an unknown artist. The figure and seat may have been carved in the 18th century, and set on a base made in the nineteenth century. It is difficult to find close parallels for the work, although it is broadly comparable with ornamental ivories made for the German courts, sometimes by French artists, during the eighteenth century, such as those at Kassel and Schwerin.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | A lady seated holding a mirror (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved ivory, partly painted. Stand with silver rim set with cornelians and agates |
| Brief description | Statuette, ivory, marble, metal, stones, seated female holding hand mirror, probably Germany or perhaps French, ca. 1750 |
| Physical description | This statuette shows a cross-legged seated female figure holding a hand mirror on a marble pedestal. Under her seat a lion crouches; the lion's head and forepaws can be seen at the back. She is dressed in a long robe bordered with ermine, and wears sandals fastened half-way up the leg. An oval dish of agate is at her feet The figure is completely coloured and mounted on a flat stand of yellow marble, with a silver rim. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Bought in Scotland for £35 in 1861 (vendor unrecorded). |
| Historical context | The figure suggests the 17th century, with mounts of later date; but it is conceivable that the whole may be modern. |
| Production | The figure suggests the 17th century, with mounts of later date; but it is conceivable that the whole may be modern. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This ivory statuette of a lady with a mirror is probably made in Germany or perhaps in France in ca. 1750 by an unknown artist. The figure and seat may have been carved in the 18th century, and set on a base made in the nineteenth century. It is difficult to find close parallels for the work, although it is broadly comparable with ornamental ivories made for the German courts, sometimes by French artists, during the eighteenth century, such as those at Kassel and Schwerin. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 7678-1861 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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