Advanced Search 
Eglomisé Plaque with Saint John the Baptist
Italian (Venice ?)
Medieval
last third of 13th century
Object Place: Europe, Venice (?), Italy
Medium/Technique
Glass with gold leaf and paint
Dimensions
3.7 x 3.3 cm (1 7/16 x 1 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
Anonymous gift in memory of Georg Swarzenski
Accession Number1974.481
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsGlass
DescriptionOne of two clear glass plaques decorated on the back with half-length figures in three-quarter view. The figures, borders, and roundels containing inscriptions are gold. Blue point is used for the background. The mourning Saint John the Baptist has a fragmentary inscription beginning HOC in the roundels on either side. He turns to the left with hands raised.The lines of the head are brown; those of the garment are green.
ProvenanceBy 1938, sold by Robert Forrer (b. 1866 - d. 1947), Strasbourg, to Georg Swarzenski (b. 1876 - d. 1957), Frankfurt and Boston [see note]; by descent to an anonymous donor; 1974, anonymous gift to the MFA. (Accession Date: September 11, 1974)
NOTE: Probably purchased before Swarzenski immigrated to the United States in 1938. He first lent this plaque to the MFA in 1939.
NOTE: Probably purchased before Swarzenski immigrated to the United States in 1938. He first lent this plaque to the MFA in 1939.