Images(5)

roundel

Object NameRoundel with Portrait of Margaret of Parma

Made FromNon-lead glass, Gold, Enamel

Dateabout 1562

TechniqueBlown, gilded, enameled

SizeOverall H: 0.7 cm, Diam (max): 8.2 cm

Accession Number81.3.43

Curatorial Area(s)

Early Modern

Exhibitions

Beyond Venice: Glass in Venetian Style, 1500-1750

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

Margaret of Parma (1522-1586) was Governor of the Netherlands at the time this portrait was made.

Place Made

probably Low Countries

Physical DescriptionRoundel with Portrait of Margaret of Parma. Colorless glass; blown, gilded, enameled. Slightly concave and composed of two colorless disks of thinly blown glass fused together. The bottom disk is decorated on the front: circular border of foliate scrollwork between solid lines is engraved in gold foil near the edge. Bust-length portrait facing right is painted with enamel. The painted modeling is achieved by carefully hatched lines. The lady wears a black dress with a high collar and white ruff, and a double string of pearls around her neck. A short, diaphanous white veil with a painted silver edge is held with a band of red, blue and white jewels in her hair. A few ornamental gold buttons decorate the sleeves and bodice of her dress. There is a small pontil mark on the reverse, framed by a second, larger circle that is ground. The frame consists of turned wood with deep moldings on the front. The back is flat and ridged to hold the roundel. Fragments of paper adhere to the wood and a rusted fragment of an iron nail or screw is embedded at one side. The front surface is stained black-brown.
Provenance

Provenance Remark

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