Christ and the Virgin

Unknown

last quarter 15th century · Silver, niello, and gilt bronze · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The inscription probably records the name of the donor and may be translated, "Jacopo, son of the notary Vannis, son of Cole [Nicola?]." Niello is an alloy of silver, copper, and lead to which sulphur and often borax are added. In pulverized form this composition is applied to a silver plaque that has been prepared with an incised design and heated until the composition and the silver fuse. When cool, the plaque is scraped until the blackened composition remains in the incised areas alone and is then rubbed until the silver regains its shine.

Artist

Unknown

Date

last quarter 15th century

Medium

Silver, niello, and gilt bronze

Culture

Italian, Florence

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1951