The Nativity, probably second half 15th century

Not on View

Medium

nielloed silver

Dimensions

overall: 10.8 × 8 cm (4 1/4 × 3 1/8 in.)

Credit Line

Samuel H. Kress Collection

Accession Number

1961.9.153

Artists / Makers

Bolognese 15th Century (artist)

Florentine 15th Century (artist)

Lombard 15th Century (artist)

Image Use

This image is in the public domain.
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Inscription

at top center on a banderole held by an angel: AVE MA[upside down]/RIA

Provenance

Trivulzio Collection, Milan, after 1833-1844, before 1856(?). [1] (Alessandro Contini Bonacossi, 1878-1955, Rome and Florence);[2] purchased 26 June 1935 by Samuel H. Kress (1863-1955), New York; gift 27 September 1950 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York;[3] gift 1961 to NGA.

[1] Laura Aldovini, I Nielli Trivulzio. Storia, Tecnica, Collezionismo,Milan, 2021: 237.

[2] The bill of sale included sculptures, maiolicas, furniture, antique velvets, paintings, and enamels, for a total of one hundred objects. Copy in NGA curatorial files. See also The Kress Collection Digital Archive, (https://kress.nga.gov/Detail/acquisitions/ACQ143).

[3] An affidavit of 21 August 1956 by Herbert L. Spencer, executive director, Samuel H. Kress Foundation, states the Trivulzio collection of nielli and enamels were given by Samuel H. Kress to the Foundation on 27 September 1950; original in National Gallery of Art Archives. Secretary and General Counsel Records – Major Donor Files; copy in NGA curatorial files.

Associated Names

Contini Bonacossi, Alessandro, Count
Kress Foundation, Samuel H.
Kress, Samuel H.
Trivulzio collection

Bibliography

2021: Aldovini, Laura. I Nielli Trivulzio. Storia, Tecnica, Collezionismo. Milan, 2021: 236, 237-238, 273, no. 63, pl. XVII.