120

A marble cup from the Medici workshop, Tuscany, late 16th – early 17th century

Height x width x depth: 32 x 42 x 24 cm

An example of craftsmanship from the flourishing Grand Ducal production in Tuscany, born of a desire to revive the great artistic legacy of the classical era. Hence the decision to create pieces that evoke classical style in various ways. First and foremost, it is important to note the style: in this case, we are referring to a bowl that mimics the forms of vessels used in Greek and Roman culture, characterized by exquisite taste and skilled craftsmanship. Secondly, the material: a river-deposited marble agglomerate featuring white, red, and green hues that form a striking and dynamic interplay of colors. In this regard, the choice of material was entrusted to the so-called “stone hunters,” who knew the locations where to find raw materials very well, particularly near bodies of water, as in this case.

This lot is accompanied by an expertise.

Literature:
The work under consideration is a classic example of grand ducal craftsmanship. This designation stems from the famous Medici Grand Ducal Workshops, established by Lorenzo de' Medici in the second half of the 15th century and born of his fervent interest in art and culture, which led to the artistic flourishing of the Tuscan Renaissance. It was said that Lorenzo embodied the very ideal of the Renaissance, given that his life was dedicated to fulfilling the humanistic mission. He was a great patron of the arts, perhaps the greatest in history, at whose court countless highly skilled artists worked. Among the most famous are names such as Brunelleschi, Botticelli, Verrocchio, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Santi di Tito. In addition, he dedicated himself to the revival of classical art, always in line with his desire to celebrate the humanistic ideal, by founding these Grand Ducal Workshops, where artifacts were crafted from rare and distinctive materials—often high-quality semi-precious stones—recalling the forms of classical-era artifacts. Focusing specifically on the work under consideration, it is part of a well-established Grand Ducal production and relates to the artistic legacy gathered by one of Lorenzo’s descendants, Grand Duke Ferdinando de’ Medici.