Vessel in the Shape of a Fish
(Renaissance Europe )
Such a refined object could have found a place either on the banquet table of a noble household or in a collection of masterpieces in rock crystal. Dolphins with entwined tails support the fish, while the wavy patterns on the base represent flowing water. During the late Renaissance and Baroque periods, natural shapes were often imitated in elaborate virtuoso displays, as is splendidly demonstrated here. Vessels in the shapes of fishes were a particular specialty of the Sarachi family in Milan.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
1981 | A Salute to the Aquarium. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
1971-1972 | World of Wonder. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Geographies
Italy, Milan (Place of Origin)
Measurements
7 7/16 x 11 1/2 in. (18.9 x 29.2 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
41.92