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Detail
"Much Ado About Nothing"
Designed by: Leonard Morel-Ladeuil (French, 1820–1888)
Made by: Leonard Morel-Ladeuil (French, 1820–1888)
Made for: Elkington & Co. (English)
Made by: Leonard Morel-Ladeuil (French, 1820–1888)
Made for: Elkington & Co. (English)
English (Birmingham)
1884
Object Place: Europe, England
Medium/Technique
Silver; damascened steel frame
Dimensions
H. 45.7 cm (18 in.); W. 59 cm (23 1/4 in.); D. 1.5 cm (9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Charlotte Beebe Wilbour and Gift of Wynyard R.T. Wilkinson
Accession Number1995.85
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsSilver
Trained in the Paris workshop of Antoine Vecht (1799-1869), a skilled chaser and expert in damascening, Morel-Ladeuil was one of a number of prestigious French artists hired by Elkington & Co. Ltd. for their design skills. This plaque depicts the marriage scene from "Much Ado About Nothing". There was a tremendous revival of Shakespeare's play in the London theatre at this time, and the scene represents the actual set of the Lyceum Theatre production of 1882.
DescriptionThe shaped rectangular plaque depicts the marriage scene from "Much Ado About Nothing". It is mounted onto an eared, rectangular damascened steel frame decorated at each corner with masks of 'Comedy' and 'Tragedy', and with interlaced damascene ornament around the plaque. At the top of the frame is a chased silver portrait medallion of Shakespeare crowned with a laurel wreath by two flanking putti. At each side of the frame is a silver trophy of music, and at the bottom is the title plaque.
InscriptionsEngraved on lower left: Morel-Ladeuil/Fecit 1884; on lower right: Elkington co.
ProvenanceElkington & Co; 1973, sold by the firm; by 1995, with Wynyard R.T. Wilkinson, London; May 24, 1995, sold by Wynyard R.T. Wilkinson to the MFA. (Accession date: May 24, 1995)