Woman Holding a Falcon and a Flower

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Robert Lehman Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art,Woman Holding a Falcon and Flower* is a delicate19th-century German pla crafted from gilt silver. Measuring just 4.1 x 3.4 cm and 22.23 grams, this petite relief captures a poised woman cradling a falcon in one hand and a flower in the other. The remnants of solder on the hint at its original use—likely as a decorative mount for jewelry, a brooch, or personal adornment—evoking the era's fascination with intimate, wearable art. Produced by an unknown artist, the plaquette reflects 19th-century Germany's Romantic revival of Renaissance-style plaquettes, small-scale sculptures prized for their intricate detail and portability. Gilding the silver surface lends a luxurious glow, enhancing the falcon's noble symbolism—tied to falconry, a pastime of European aristocracy symbolizing prowess and freedom—and the flower's delicate beauty, perhaps alluding to nature's harmony or feminine grace. Such motifs blended historical nostalgia with Victorian-era sentimentality. This charming artifact invites us to ponder everyday elegance in 19th-century life, bridging personal devotion and artistic tradition. Acquired in 1975, it exemplifies the Lehman Collection's treasure trove of finely wrought European metalwork.