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1300 to 1400

12 works

The sculpture is an oval-shaped relief featuring a dynamic scene with two figures. On the left side of the relief, a centaur is depicted. The centaur is in motion, with horse legs shown mid-step, and the human torso slightly turned with one arm raised. On the right, a human figure, possibly a warrior, is walking briskly and pulling an object with a rope. The human is depicted in a muscular form with detail given to the musculature and limbs. The relief is made from a metal material, likely bronze, with a brown color and a patina finish that adds depth to the details. The material is a dark, burnished bronze, with some areas highlighting lighter shades that accentuate the outlines and contours of the figures.

A Warrior Fighting a Horseman

Roman 15th Century

The sculpture depicts a central figure representing a woman with a halo, seated and surrounded by four smaller figures which appear to be cherubs or angels. The woman is holding a child who is reclined in her lap. The composition includes three cherubic heads with wings above, creating a stacked layer effect, and another cherubic figure on each side, flanking the central figures. The surface of the sculpture is a deep reddish-brown, suggesting it could be made from carved stone or cast metal with a patinated or aged finish. The relief is detailed, with defined lines and contours offering depth and texture, while the halo around the woman's head suggests religious iconography. The sculpture has a flat appearance, with a hole at the top indicating it could be hung or displayed.

The Virgin and Child

Paduan 15th Century

This is a photograph of a gold coin. The coin features a profile portrait of a figure wearing a hat adorned with a design or insignia. The figure has a determined, serious expression with detailed facial features including a sharp nose and distinct lips. The design on the coin also includes an elaborately patterned collar or clothing extending from the figure’s neck. An inscription in a stylized serif font wraps around the edge of the coin. The surface of the coin appears textured and worn in places, suggesting historical significance.

Lodovico II, 1438-1504, Marquess of Saluzzo 1475 [obverse]

Carmagnola 15th Century

A woman sitting on a throne with a child on her lap and two angels are carved from white marble and decorated with a few areas of gold in this freestanding sculpture. All four people face us in this photograph, and they have round cheeks, square jawlines, and closed lips. Black dots are painted for pupils but without irises or other paint on their faces, they all look startled or intense. The woman wears a gold crown over a cloth that drapes over her head, shoulders, and across her lap. Her knees are apart, and pointed shoes peek out under the rippling hem of her dress. She braces the child’s torso with her left hand, to our right, and touches his upper leg with the other hand. The child’s adult-like face is framed by gold hair. He holds up one hand, though the fingers have been broken off, and holds an open book facing out propped on his leg with his other hand. Writing on the pages has been painted. Two child-like, wingless angels stand on the arms of the throne behind the woman’s shoulders and hold a cloth up behind her head. On all four people, their hair and the necklines, hems, and cuffs of their garments have been painted with gold geometric designs. The Latin text on the book reads, "CONTINET IN GERMIO CELV TERRA Q REGENTE VIRGO DEI GENETRIX MCCCXXI.”

Madonna and Child with Two Angels

Verona 14th Century

This round sculpture contains several ornate designs and figures. In the center is a man with pale skin, long golden hair, and a golden beard, wearing red robes over a white garment. His hands are raised by his chest, and in them he holds a large cross with a smaller man attached to it. This man has his arms stretched out to each side, and his hands and feet have been nailed to the cross. He is shirtless, with a red cut on one side of his chest, white cloth wrapped around his waist, and a leafy crown on his head. He has pale skin with some areas of gold and long gold hair. At the top of the cross seems to be the shape of a white bird, its wings stretched to either side. Surrounding these two men are angelic figures with large brown wings, white skin, and golden hair. Circling them is a ring of thorns, and beyond that is a wreath of leaves with several large pearls in it. At the edge of the sculpture is an ornate golden frame. The piece is richly colored with gold, white, red, blue, and green tones.

Morse with the Trinity

French 15th Century

The sculpture is a round object resembling an old coin or medallion. The design features a central motif with a pointed, arrow-like figure surrounded by four circular patterns encased within a lobed border. The material appears to be metal, likely silver or a similar alloy, with a silver-gray color and areas of tarnish. Around the edges, there is an inscription or series of symbols. The sculpture is relatively flat with raised designs and inscriptions.

Four-wheeled Carro, Heraldic Symbol of the Carrara Family [reverse]

Paduan 14th Century

The sculpture depicts a relief carving of a male figure standing in an elegant pose, holding a staff entwined with a serpent. The figure is shown in profile, facing left, with a defined muscular form. The staff, known as a caduceus, is held in the left hand resting on the ground. The sculpture is crafted from a material that appears weathered and earthy brown in color, suggesting it might be made of bronze or a similar metal that has aged over time. This small, oval-shaped relief has a detailed and textured surface, reflecting light to highlight its contours and enhance the three-dimensional quality of the figure. The edges of the oval frame the figure, adding a sense of completeness to the composition.

Aesculapius

Florentine 15th Century

The relief depicts a group of figures engaged in hunting. There is a central archer aiming a bow at a target, with a dog by their side. Another figure is stepping back cautiously, while a third figure stands holding a staff. The sculpture is made of bronze or bronze-toned material, set on a rectangular plaque with a textured surface and framed by a border. It appears small in scale relative to human size.

Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian

Enzola, Gianfrancesco

The sculpture is a circular gilded relief with a raised design featuring a profile portrait of a human head at its center. This central image is illustrated in vibrant shades of blue and green, depicting a person's head in profile with short hair, within a quatrefoil-shaped frame. The overall sculpture appears to be made of a metal that has been gilded, giving it a rich gold color. The background intricate pattern consists of geometric shapes, including crosses and lozenge forms, all embossed or engraved into the surface, creating a textured, three-dimensional appearance. The outer edge of the sculpture is bordered by a beaded pattern. It appears mounted on a dark background which enhances the golden hue of the metal.

Costume Ornament with Profile Portrait

North Italian 14th Century

A woman cradling a baby boy sits on an arched throne, which is surrounded by twenty men, women, and winged angels against a glimmering gold background in this vertical painting. The panel on which it is painted comes to a pointed arch at the top, and a gold, carved, twisting column frames the scene to each side. Most the people have pale skin faintly tinged with green and all have bright gold, plate-like halos. The woman, Mary, wears a forest-green, gold-edged robe covering her head, shoulders, and body over a peach-colored dress, which is decorated with gold, geometric designs. She has wavy, strawberry-blond hair, a straight nose, wide, narrowed eyes, and her pink lips are closed. Her body faces us but she looks down and to our right, toward a pair of women on that side of the throne. The baby looks in the same direction, and has short, blond, curly hair, pudgy cheeks, a wide, bare chest, and scrawny arms. The fabric wrapped around his waist and legs shimmers from canary yellow to sky blue, and is crimson red on the underside. He reaches one arm across his body to our right, toward a small gray bird held by one of two women standing next to the throne. Those women and the others around the throne are smaller in scale than Mary. Their bodies face the throne, and most look up toward it. They all wear gold-trimmed robes in ultramarine blue, ruby red, emerald green, pale pink, fawn brown, ivory white, or golden yellow. Each person holds one object, including a palm frond, flute, ring, ointment jar, wooden cross, sword, lamb, or a book. One man, to our lower left, wears a furry garment under his robe and holds a red cross and a scroll. Another man, to our right, holds a book and a large, gold skeleton key. Even smaller in scale, two winged angels play instruments in the lower center, at the base of the throne. Finally, to each side of the throne, over the saints surrounding it, there are two pairs of two angels. In each of that final pair of angels, one is painted entirely in cobalt blue and the other entirely in scarlet red. Crimson-red fabric embellished with gold, stylized leaf patterns hangs behind Mary, on the throne.

Madonna and Child with Saints and Angels

Daddi, Bernardo

This is a painting of a religious scene featuring numerous figures. The central panel of the artwork is filled with a group of figures wearing halos and vibrant robes. At the top of the painting, two figures are seated on thrones with symbols surrounding them. The image is framed with a border of circular portraits and decorative elements, including angels and celestial motifs. Gold is used to highlight areas, enhancing its theme. The style is reminiscent of an illuminated manuscript, common in medieval religious art.

Christ and the Virgin Enthroned with Forty Saints

Master of the Dominican Effigies

This is a photograph of a circular metallic object. The object features a golden circular medallion with a textured pattern of raised geometric and floral motifs. In the center, there is a small, circular inset with a stylized profile in shades of blue and turquoise against a deep blue background. The object's design suggests a blend of historical and artistic elements. The gold sections have an embossed look reminiscent of decorative craftsmanship, hinting at a ceremonial or symbolic purpose. The medallion's edge is finely scalloped and the background of the photograph is a deep, velvety shade of maroon.

Costume Ornament with Profile Portrait

North Italian 14th Century