Plate with Monogram of Gaston de France

Object Name: 
Plate with Monogram of Gaston de France

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Object Name: 
Plate with Monogram of Gaston de France
Accession Number: 
77.3.34
Dimensions: 
Overall H: 6.2 cm, Diam (max): 48.8 cm
Location: 
On Display
Date: 
about 1630-1640
Credit Line: 
Purchased with funds from the Museum Endowment Fund
Web Description: 
The technique of decorating glass by scratching the surface with a diamond was introduced by the Venetians in the 16th century, and it was perfected in the Low Countries a century later. Unlike wheel engraving, which required a long period of training, the principal requirement of diamond-point engraving was the ability to draw well. This was certainly true in the case of the artist who produced the dish that is presented here. Its assurance of line proclaims it as one of the great masterpieces in its genre. The rim is decorated with emblematic designs, while the center shows the all-seeing eye of God above a crowned monogram composed of two Gs. The plate may have been made for Gaston, duke of Orléans (1608-1660), son of Henry IV of France.
Department: 
Provenance: 
d'Orleans, Gaston, Former Collection
Kugel, Jacques, Source
Category: 
Material: 
Inscription: 
ABRUMPAM; TE STANTE VIREBO; VERITAS PREMITUR NON OPPRIMITUR; CONCEDO NULLI
Inscription
Primary Description: 
Colorless glass; diamond-point engraved. Circular plate, the center is engraved with an interlaced monogram "GG" under an open crown with fleur de lis, surmounted by the Eye of God among clouds and rays. This is framed by a floral wreath emerging from two interlaced cornucopias, which are tied with ribbons below, and filled with flowers and fruit. The rim is decorated with oval and rectangular cartouches, encircled by garlands of foliage. Insects fill spaces between cartouches. The oval cartouches are filled with emblems (a globe with a surmounted cross, an obelisque, a palm tree, and a bust on a pedestal). Latin inscriptions accompany each. The rectangular spaces are undecorated.
Baroque Influences on the Form and Decoration of Glass (2014) illustrated, pp. 30-31; BIB# 142141
Glass: A Short History (Smithsonian Books edition) (2012) illustrated, pp. 76-77; BIB# 130360
Exhibitions (2004-07) illustrated, p. 7-E;
Beyond Venice: Glass in Venetian Style, 1500-1750 (2004) illustrated, pp. 180-182, no. 10; BIB# 79761
Glass in Art, History, and Science at The Corning Museum of Glass (2003) illustrated, p. 70, no. 12; BIB# AI64198
Un temps d'exuberance: Les arts decoratifs sous Louis Xiii et Anne d'Autriche (1610-1661) (2003) illustrated, p.. 383; BIB# 76443
Verre et Gravure: une histoire et des musees (2002-12-02) p. 52, fig. 3; BIB# AI70725
Hikari no shouchu: sekai no garasu = The glass (1992) p. 29, #44; p. 243; BIB# 58995
Treasures from The Corning Museum of Glass (1992) illustrated, p. 58, #47; BIB# 35679
Glasskolan 2: Mer elegans an vardagsnytta (1990-02) p. 52; BIB# AI55258
Masterpieces of Glass: A World History From The Corning Museum of Glass (1990) illustrated, pp. 122-123, pl. 53; BIB# 33819
A Short History of Glass (1990 edition) (1990) illustrated, p. 60-61, #50; BIB# 33211
A Short History of Glass (1980 edition) (1980) illustrated, p. 54, #48; BIB# 21161
The Corning Museum of Glass Annual Report 1977 (1978) illustrated, pp. 4-5, #2; BIB# AI97145
Recent Important Acquisitions, 20 (1978) illustrated, Cover, frontispiece; BIB# AI98080