Perfume flask
WB.265
dated 1688 •
Boxwood •
perfume-flask
Carved with the figures of Faith, Hope and Charity and the shield of Austria. The upper part takes the form of a crown.
Curator's Description
Perfume flask; highly decorated column of boxwood; upper part in form of royal crown, with seated female figure surrounded by three cupids; body divided into three by figures of Faith, Hope and Charity; coat of arms and four crests in pairs between them triangular base, unscrews, represents emblems of the Evangelists; arms include: cross pattée, Imperial Eagle, Austria, demi-unicorn and pair of horns; inscribed.
This object was collected by Anselm von Rothschild and bequeathed to the British Museum by Ferdinand Anselm Rothschild.
Detailed Curatorial Notes
Provenance: Baron Anselm von Rothschild, Vienna, by 1866 (cat no. 45).
Bibliography
- Charles Hercules Read, 'The Waddesdon Bequest: Catalogue of the Works of Art bequeathed to the British Museum by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild, M.P., 1898', London, 1902, no. 265
- O.M. Dalton, 'The Waddesdon Bequest', 2nd edn (rev), British Museum, London, 1927, no.265.
- Read 1902: Read, Charles Hercules, The Waddesdon Bequest. Catalogue of the Works of Art Bequeathed to the British Museum by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild, M.P., 1898, London, BMP, 1902
- Dalton 1927: Dalton, Ormonde Maddock, The Waddesdon Bequest : jewels, plate, and other works of art bequeathed by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild., London, BMP, 1927