Lot 308
A Fenton Brothers Victorian claret jug Y
Auction: 9 March 2021 at 10:00 GMT
Description
Fenton Brothers, Sheffield 1877, of Classical ewer form, after Cellini, the baluster body with all-over embossed shell, foliate and scroll decoration, beaded borders and ram mask border, the lower body with ornate cartouche and Fraser crest surmounted by motto I AM READY, vacant cartouche to the other side, the handle of angular form with scroll terminal, the hinged lid with budding finial, all raised on a stepped domed foot with similar decoration
Dimensions
Height: 35cm, weight: 29.4oz
Footnote
Inspiration can often be found from the past and the Classical period is one which has been emulated throughout the generations.
Born in Florence in 1500 Benvenuto Cellini was definitely a product of the polymath culture of the Renaissance.
With his father a musician, there was always a natural musical talent of which his father had hoped he would follow in his footsteps, but initially Cellini took an apprenticeship with a goldsmith. His artistic passions overlapped and he was a skilled, draughtsman, artist, sculptor and musician.
At a time of political upheaval across the continent, Cellini was recruited as a soldier where with victories, he was able to combine his craftsmanship with medals, with very few remaining, but examples can be found in the Uffizi gallery.
Patronage followed with the Medici family and even Francis I of France where he was able to complete one of his most famous and authenticated works, the gold salt in 1540 now in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.
Although it is always difficult to attribute work or designs to Cellini, his work looked to the past of the Roman Empire with Classical swags and heavy embellishments. We are delighted to offer this Victorian claret jug another period who encouraged the flourishes. The cast shell detail emulating the work of Titian and the frescos of the 16th century. The ram's head masks a very traditional Classical symbol all tie back to the work of this period and possibly the accomplished individual that Cellini was.