Glass bottle c. 1745

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guilding, glass

baroque

guilding

glass

decorative-art

This glass bottle and box, crafted by an anonymous artist, showcases symbolic ornamentation reflective of classical narratives and decorative arts. Observe the gilded figures adorning the box. These depictions, reminiscent of ancient Greek or Roman scenes, evoke a sense of timeless beauty and historical continuity. Such classical motifs often signify refinement, culture, and an aspiration to connect with the perceived glory of past civilizations. The act of collecting and containing precious substances, as implied by the bottles, connects us to alchemical pursuits. Historically, such containers also speak to the human desire to preserve youth and beauty. This pursuit of immortality and aesthetic perfection is a recurring theme in art across eras. The box itself, a treasure chest of sorts, underscores the preciousness of its contents, appealing to our collective fascination with wealth, beauty, and the mysteries of transformation. The symbols speak to the cyclical nature of human aspirations.

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minneapolisinstituteofart over 1 year ago

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The box is decorated with scenes from the life of St. Nicholas of Myra. This fourth century Greek bishop, who was the patron saint of children, sailors and travelers and the guardian of young women, was the forerunner of St. Nicholas or Father Christmas. The gold scenes were applied in a piqué technique whereby thin sheets of gold are impressed into tortoiseshell which has been softened in boiling water and olive oil. Once the shell cools, it contracts and the gold is securely held in place. This technique was first introduced at the end of the sixteenth century in Naples, and by the following century it had spread to France, England and northern Europe, with Paris and Naples as the principal centers. The costly and time-consuming nature of this intricate technique imply that it was used on only the most expensive small luxury items such as inkstands, trays, snuffboxes and boxes for toilet articles, in this case gold-mounted perfume bottles.