Group of statuettes

Unknown

16th century · Boxwood · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Although there are no definite means of identification, this group is possibly symbolic of events in the life of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. He abdicated the Imperial crown in 1558 and the Spanish crown in 1556, being succeeded in the latter by his son Philip II, for whom in this group (far right) the Emperor holds an orb and a sceptre. A figure to the right of Charles presents Philip to him. A figure on the left holds the imperial crown, about to present it to Ferdinand I (far left), the younger brother of Charles, who became emperor in 1558.

Artist

Unknown

Date

16th century

Medium

Boxwood

Culture

German

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917