This object is an upright silver filigree spice holder. The base consists of a simple round foot with an elaborately carved dome shape above it. Above the base is a slender stem with a spiral design winding up. At the top of the stem is a reverse dome shape, similar to the one below. A single row of vertical lines appears between the stem and the actual spice holder. The spice holder is a circular compartment with vertical panels of a beautiful filigree design. Another row of vertical lines appears between the top of the spice compartment and the dome-shaped top. A finial resembling a flowerpot with flowers and a handle adorns the spice holder at the very top.
Italian, Venice
Spice Holder,
19th century
Silver
,
34.5 cm (13 9/16 in.)
Object details
Accession number
M21w16
Primary Creator
Italian, Venice
Full title
Spice Holder
Creation Date
19th century
Provenance
Entered Isabella Stewart Gardner's collection at an unknown date.
Marks
Stamped (bottom of base): a banded globe surrounded by seven stars, the whole within a seven-sided polygon
Stamped (bottom of base): a comet
Stamped (bottom of base): N in circle with fragment of another letter above (top of stem)
Dimensions
34.5 cm (13 9/16 in.)
Display Media
Silver
Web Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.
Permanent Gallery Location
Dutch Room
Bibliography
Gilbert Wendel Longstreet and Morris Carter. General Catalogue (Boston, 1935), p. 183. (as a Venetian reliquary)
Rights and reproductions
The use of images, text, and all other media found on this website is limited. Please review Rights and Reproductions for details.
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.