Description
BRANDEBURG PRINCE HANDKERCHIEF BASKET Germany, 16th century Patinated bronze H. 29 cm (with handle raised: 46 cm), D. 21 cm Monogram W//M Inscriptions in the medallions: Albrecht V[on] Brandenburg Erbish[of] o[der] Kurf[urst] V[on] Mainz 1490-1545 // Joachim I Kurfurst V[on] Brandenburg 1484-1535 // Joachim II Kurfurst V[on] Brandenburg 1505-1571 // Albrecht Markgraf V[on] Brandenburg 1490-1568 This patinated bronze bucket, with a high handle attached to two mascaron-decorated handles, is richly decorated. A band of five medallions interspersed with foliate candelabras terminating in delicate lyre birds in the spandrels surmounts the gadrooned base of the vase. Four of the great princes of Brandenburg during the Renaissance are depicted, identified by an inscription. Albert of Brandenburg (1490-1545), appointed Archbishop of Brandenburg in 1513 and of Mainz in 1514, where he became Prince-Elector, is shown wearing the cardinal's biretta, in accordance with his title in 1518. Contrary to the usual practice, he is shown here in profile, as in Dürer's engraving where he is 34 years old (fig. 1). His brother Joachim I (1484-1535), who was elected Elector of Brandenburg in 1499, is depicted in a three-quarter view, wearing a hat made of a heavy, jewelled fabric and a cloak with a richly embroidered breastplate, following the model of the portrait painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder (Fig. 2). The inversion of the subject suggests that our artist used an engraving. The next medallion shows Joachim II (1505-1571), the son of the previous king, who succeeded him in 1535. His costume, more sober than his father's, reflects the evolution of fashions but also of ideas since he supports the Reformation while remaining faithful to Catholicism. In his official portraits, as shown here, he wears a beret with an antler and long moustaches. The series ends with the portrait of Albert (1490- 1568), Magrave of Brandenburg. He is depicted in profile like his uncle, but in the opposite direction and bareheaded. Between the cardinal and himself, a fifth medallion, decorated with a mascaron, bears the signature of the goldsmith, the monogrammist W.M. Our bucket allows us to date his activity after 1571.
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BRANDEBURG PRINCE HANDKERCHIEF BASKET Germany, 16th century Patinated bronze H. 29 cm (with handle raised: 46 cm), D. 21 cm Monogram W//M Inscriptions in the medallions: Albrecht V[on] Brandenburg Erbish[of] o[der] Kurf[urst] V[on] Mainz 1490-1545 // Joachim I Kurfurst V[on] Brandenburg 1484-1535 // Joachim II Kurfurst V[on] Brandenburg 1505-1571 // Albrecht Markgraf V[on] Brandenburg 1490-1568 This patinated bronze bucket, with a high handle attached to two mascaron-decorated handles, is richly decorated. A band of five medallions interspersed with foliate candelabras terminating in delicate lyre birds in the spandrels surmounts the gadrooned base of the vase. Four of the great princes of Brandenburg during the Renaissance are depicted, identified by an inscription. Albert of Brandenburg (1490-1545), appointed Archbishop of Brandenburg in 1513 and of Mainz in 1514, where he became Prince-Elector, is shown wearing the cardinal's biretta, in accordance with his title in 1518. Contrary to the usual practice, he is shown here in profile, as in Dürer's engraving where he is 34 years old (fig. 1). His brother Joachim I (1484-1535), who was elected Elector of Brandenburg in 1499, is depicted in a three-quarter view, wearing a hat made of a heavy, jewelled fabric and a cloak with a richly embroidered breastplate, following the model of the portrait painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder (Fig. 2). The inversion of the subject suggests that our artist used an engraving. The next medallion shows Joachim II (1505-1571), the son of the previous king, who succeeded him in 1535. His costume, more sober than his father's, reflects the evolution of fashions but also of ideas since he supports the Reformation while remaining faithful to Catholicism. In his official portraits, as shown here, he wears a beret with an antler and long moustaches. The series ends with the portrait of Albert (1490- 1568), Magrave of Brandenburg. He is depicted in profile like his uncle, but in the opposite direction and bareheaded. Between the cardinal and himself, a fifth medallion, decorated with a mascaron, bears the signature of the goldsmith, the monogrammist W.M. Our bucket allows us to date his activity after 1571.
