DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6656#0070
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XXVIII.
Vase of Agate superbly mounted in Gold and Enamel, and richly ornamented with
Precious Stones.
Height 16| in. Breadth 4/2 in. Length 12 in.
iCMl
This costly specimen of the goldsmith's and enameller's art is the work of the celebrated Melchior
Dinglinger, and displays perfectly the characteristics of his manner, namely, extreme magnificence of general
effect, united with great elegance in the details. It has the general form of a lamp, and represents the
bath of Diana. The handle is formed by an undraped figure of that goddess, carved in ivory, with one
arm upraised as if warding off something. She sits at one end of the oval agate vessel, which represents
the bowl of the lamp, and which is mounted as a bath, beneath a fantastically adorned canopy; at the
other end, above the burner, which is partially covered with a piece of drapery, is placed her favourite
dog, keeping watch over her implements of the chase. Along the margin of the vessel, upon brackets, are
to be seen several small articles for the use of the bath; and on its outer surface, beneath the figures of
Diana ami the dog, the portraits of a couple of the fair favourites of Augustus the Strong, the Countess
Cosel. and the beautiful Aurora von Konigsmark, are introduced, painted in enamel. Our plate affords but
a glimpse of that of the last named lady, much foreshortened. The whole rests upon the extreme points
of the antlers of a stag, which is represented as being torn in pieces by dogs, and forms the foot of
the lamp.
It is clear that this design -is intended as an allusion to the fate of Actaeon, from the inscription
in small diamonds, "Effronterie perd—Discretion sert", which surrounds the circular base upon which it is
placed.
How highly this work was esteemed by Dinglinger himself is apparent from his having had it
introduced into his portrait by his friend Antoine Pesne. An engraving after this picture forms the vignette
on the title-page of this work. A short notice of this distinguished man, the best part of whose life was
spent in the service of the Saxon court, and whose principal works are preserved in the "Green Vaults"
in Dresden, will not be misplaced here, as from these circumstances his reputation has been more confined
and local than his great merits deserve. He was born at Biberich, near Ulm, in the year 1665. Nobody
who i> acquainted with his productions will deny that he was gifted by nature with the artistic sense,
however much its manifestation may have been influenced and obscured by the accidents of his position,
and the requirements and taste of his time. The vicinity of his birthplace to Augsburg, then the great
seat of the goldsmith's art, probably determined his choice of a profession; though the devotion with
which he pursued it during his whole life, would seem to indicate a passionate natural inclination, fortunately
XXVIII.
Vase of Agate superbly mounted in Gold and Enamel, and richly ornamented with
Precious Stones.
Height 16| in. Breadth 4/2 in. Length 12 in.
iCMl
This costly specimen of the goldsmith's and enameller's art is the work of the celebrated Melchior
Dinglinger, and displays perfectly the characteristics of his manner, namely, extreme magnificence of general
effect, united with great elegance in the details. It has the general form of a lamp, and represents the
bath of Diana. The handle is formed by an undraped figure of that goddess, carved in ivory, with one
arm upraised as if warding off something. She sits at one end of the oval agate vessel, which represents
the bowl of the lamp, and which is mounted as a bath, beneath a fantastically adorned canopy; at the
other end, above the burner, which is partially covered with a piece of drapery, is placed her favourite
dog, keeping watch over her implements of the chase. Along the margin of the vessel, upon brackets, are
to be seen several small articles for the use of the bath; and on its outer surface, beneath the figures of
Diana ami the dog, the portraits of a couple of the fair favourites of Augustus the Strong, the Countess
Cosel. and the beautiful Aurora von Konigsmark, are introduced, painted in enamel. Our plate affords but
a glimpse of that of the last named lady, much foreshortened. The whole rests upon the extreme points
of the antlers of a stag, which is represented as being torn in pieces by dogs, and forms the foot of
the lamp.
It is clear that this design -is intended as an allusion to the fate of Actaeon, from the inscription
in small diamonds, "Effronterie perd—Discretion sert", which surrounds the circular base upon which it is
placed.
How highly this work was esteemed by Dinglinger himself is apparent from his having had it
introduced into his portrait by his friend Antoine Pesne. An engraving after this picture forms the vignette
on the title-page of this work. A short notice of this distinguished man, the best part of whose life was
spent in the service of the Saxon court, and whose principal works are preserved in the "Green Vaults"
in Dresden, will not be misplaced here, as from these circumstances his reputation has been more confined
and local than his great merits deserve. He was born at Biberich, near Ulm, in the year 1665. Nobody
who i> acquainted with his productions will deny that he was gifted by nature with the artistic sense,
however much its manifestation may have been influenced and obscured by the accidents of his position,
and the requirements and taste of his time. The vicinity of his birthplace to Augsburg, then the great
seat of the goldsmith's art, probably determined his choice of a profession; though the devotion with
which he pursued it during his whole life, would seem to indicate a passionate natural inclination, fortunately