3-011-627 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Loan Collection, South-Kensington, 1862. 'Silver-gilt rose-water ewer. The ewer is oviform, with very high handle, in form of a hydra or monster with three heads, winged body, and forelegs, ending in a serpent's tail; at its junction on the vase is a bearded mask. On the body are four cartouches of the Seasons: Spring is symbolised by a female seated in a garden surrounded by flowers, Summer by a female reaping corn. Autumn by Bacchus on a tun gathering grapes, and Winter by an old man warming himself by a fire; these are separated by masks and other details. Above these, separated by double guilloche border, are fish, lobsters, dolphins, &c, Under the spout is a large mask; behind the handle, on the neck of the vase, are interlaced serpents; the whole connected and diversified by the richest and most beautiful arabesques...This superb masterpiece (than which there is probably no finer specimen of Italian cinque-cento plate) is most likely by a great Florentine goldsmith, working circa 1560-70. It has been ascribed to Benvenuto Cellini, and is in every respect worthy of his great reputation...This ewer, with plateau, was purchased at Florence by George, third Earl Cowper'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.