Mask, by PH Morton
This is another treasure from the V&A exhibits.
You would not have guessed it that it is a snuff box, a container for ground tobacco.
The lovely intricate design makes it a collectible. This particular item was made in Chelsea by an unknown artist between 1760-1765.
Animus, by Kevin Grey,
Photo PH Morton
The above beautiful shining solid sliver abstract fine silver work which is an exhibit, rather caught my eye. The silver smith craftsman made five and from what I learned cost £72,000.00 each. If I were a multi millionaire+. I think I would indulge myself 🙂
The Maker’s diagonally stamped Hallmark can just be seen near the top.
This is just one of many wonderful silver work exhibits many dating back hundreds of years, in the ‘Silver Speaks’ exhibition, held in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. The V&A is well worth a visit if you can when in London.
Snuff Bottle, V&A Museum, photo by JMorton
The above object caught my attention immediately, not only because it was exquisitely beautiful but I remember I have a similar one at home, which Peter got me as a gift a couple of years ago.
I thought it was a perfume bottle. It was only during a visit to the Victoria & Albert Museum two days ago that I learnt it was a snuff bottle, which was used during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).
Smoking a tobacco was prohibited during the Qing Dynasty, therefore nicotine loving Chinese and Mongolian people had resorted to sniffing powdered tobacco contained in snuff bottles. Inhaling finely ground tobacco was allowed as consumption was deemed medicinal at that time.
The snuff bottles were constructed as tactile as possible as they are carried by hand replacing the snuff boxes favoured by Europeans. There were really beautiful, work of art, snuff bottles as they were a symbol of your position, how high up you were in society. Sharing a snuff during the 16th century China was a form of greetings.
Wonderful to learn new things. I now know that my ‘perfume bottle’ is actually a snuff bottle. Where is the tobacco?!!! 🙂
Death of St Scholastica by Johann Baptist Wenzel Bergl
Saint Scholastica (Santa Scholastica) is said to be the twin sister of St Benedict, the founder of Western monasticism. She is a saint recognised by the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
The twins came from a very affluent family of Norcia (Nursia), in the province of Perugia, southwestern of Umbria, Italy.
The twins were quite religious from an early age. They were inseparable until St Benedict had to leave for Rome for further studies.
Later on after St Benedict founded his first monastery in Monte Cassino, St Scholastica also headed a female version (nuns) of the Benedictine monastery just a few miles from Monte Cassino.
St Scholastica Reliquary, V&A Museum, photo by JMorton
The above is a reliquary, a container of holy relics. The hand is shown holding a bird, which is reminiscent of how St Benedict saw the soul/spirit of his dead sister as she ascended into heaven in the form of a dove.
The above St Scholastica reliquary was made from silver and originated in Spain and now proudly displayed at the Victroria and Albert Museum. It is quite spectacular. The little glass hole was once used to view the relic from St Scholastica’s left arm.
St Scholastica is the patron saint of nuns, convulsive children, schools, tests, books, reading (there are many schools and colleges named after St Scholastica). She is also the saint to invoke against storms and rain.
There was a mystical story regarding St Scholastica and St Benedict. Apparently the twins met up once a year in an inn inbetween their respective monasteries.
St Scholastica begged her brother to stay with her for the evening so they can continue praying and discussing religious matters. But St Benedict refused; he was adamant, he had a rule of spending the nights in his cell in his monastery.
With clasped hands, St Scholastica prayed in earnest, there was suddenly heavy rain and storm, making it impossible for St Benedict to leave.
St Benedict was not very pleased! Benedict asked, “What have you done?”, to which she replied, “I asked you and you would not listen; so I asked my God and he did listen. So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery.” Benedict was unable to return to his monastery, and they spent the night in discussion.[
Three days later, St Scholastica passed away; St Benedict saw the dove flying into the heavenly blue yonder instinctively knowing that it was his sister.
St Benedict ordered for his sister’s body to be brought into his monastery for burial in the space he allotted for himself. In the end they were buried together as St Benedict also passed away not too long after.
Lady of Lupari @ V&A, Photo by PH Morton
The above bust was of a lady from the Lupari family, a prominent family in Bologna during the 1460s.
The bust is made from terracotta and the sculptor was Alfonso Lombardi.
What is a bust?
A bust is a sculpted or cast representation of a human upper body, from the chest to the neck up to the head. The bust is often sat on a plinth to keep it secure. A bust can be made from marbles, wood, metal, or terracotta.
An aust is an equivalent to a sculpted head of mythical beings and animals.