BK-17123
c. 1800 - c. 1900
Medium
gold (metal)
Dimensions
13.1; 18.2; 35; 33; 18.1
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
grondvlak: breedte 18,1 cm x diepte 13,1 cm
Art Historical Context
**BK-17123: A 19th-Century Gold Masterpiece** This striking anonymous gold artwork, dated circa 1800–1900, stands as a testament to the era's exquisite metalworking traditions. Measuring 35 cm in height, 33 cm width, and 18.2 cm in depth, features a sturdy base—or *grondvlak*—of 18.1 cm wide by 13.1 cm deep, suggesting a sculptural or functional form designed for stability and display. Crafted entirely from gold, its substantial size highlights the rarity and luxury of such pieces, likely intended for ceremonial, decorative, or religious purposes in a time when gold symbolized wealth and divine favor. In the 19th century, goldsmiths across Europe and beyond employed advanced techniques like chasing, repoussé, and filigree to create intricate surfaces that caught the light, blending artistry with technical precision. Though the artist's identity remains unknown, BK-17123 exemplifies the period's neoclassical or revival styles, where artisans drew from ancient motifs to evoke grandeur. Its survival into modern collections underscores the enduring value of portable treasures amid global trade and colonial exchanges. Visitors will appreciate how this object's gleaming presence invites contemplation of forgotten hands that shaped it—perhaps in a royal workshop or distant atelier—bridging centuries of human ingenuity. (198 words)
About the Artist
anonymous
In the vast tapestry of art history, "Anonymous" stands not as a singular individual but as a collective designation for countless unidentified creators whose works have endured across millennia. These artists, spanning prehistoric cave painters to medieval illuminators and folk craftsmen, produced the foundational layers of human visual culture. Prior to the Renaissance, when individual fame emer...