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Trophy of battle

Maker

(artist)
1700-1799

Title

Trophy of battle

Date of Production

(circa) 1730

Medium

red chalk on laid paper with red chalk framing lines

Dimensions

Height: 26 cm
Width: 14.2 cm

Accession Number

D.1952.RW.1594

Mode of Acquisition

Robert Clermont Witt, bequest, 1952

Credit

The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)

Copyright

Work in the public domain

Location

Not currently on display

Keywords








Related Works

Trophy of battle

Label Text

This trophy, one of a pair, assembles on a vertical axis a contrasting array of exotic and Roman arms. This design gathers an array of antique shields, axes, arrows, swords and ensigns and promotes the codes of the Roman legions. Its pendant is crowned by an elephant’s head, which also features body armour with a feathered skirt. Possibly from a set of trophies of the Four Continents, the designs, most likely drawn for or after prints, offered painters and sculptors ornament assemblages for realisation on wall or door panelling.

Provenance

Sotheby's (London); purchased there by Sir Robert Witt, London (1872-1952), L.2228b, n.d. (£1, including D.1952.RW.1594); Witt Bequest 1952 Most of the nearby Witt cards were purchased at either the Chariatte sale (30 April - 1 May 1923) or the 17-18 April 1923 Sotheby's sale, so check either of those for these drawings.

Exhibition History

Drawings Gallery Display - Ornament by Design, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 23/04/2016-12/06/2016

Inscriptions

Watermark: Watermark: Verso, centre: “D & C BLAUW”.

Inscription: Recto: within the drawing, upper right on drapery, red chalk: “ECOOS / CA RMS NO //”; within the drawing, lower centre on plaque, red chalk: “GSEA”; lower right corner, graphite: “195”. Verso: centre, graphite: “463/67”; lower right edge, graphite, Witt number: “1594”.

Collector's mark: Verso: lower left corner, stamped in black ink: Sir Robert Witt (L.2228b).

Information on this object may be incomplete and will be updated as research progresses. We are particularly committed to addressing any discriminatory or offensive language and ideas that might be present in our records. To help improve this record, and to enquire about images of The Courtauld Gallery Collection, please email gallery.collectionsonline@courtauld.ac.uk. Find out more about using and licensing our images.

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