The Battle of the Amazons

Description

Electrotype rosewater or sideboard dish featuring 'The Battle of the Amazons', designed by Antoine Vechte in c.1851: English, Birmingham, manufactured by Elkington & Co., c.1851 - 1872

Museum reference

A.1872.30

Collection

Decorative and Applied Art

Object name

Dish, Electrotype

Production information

Elkington & Co. 1861 - 1963, Manufacturer
Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, Northern Europe
Vechte, Antoine, 1800 - 1868, Designer

Date

19th century

Materials

Gilt copper alloy

Physical description

Very large circular shaped dish featuring 'The Battle of the Amazons'. Wide, flat outer rim with thin plain band on outer and inner edge. Wide band features four, large horned faces in shallow relief, equidistant form one another. Between each main face are two bearded side profiles facing each other. Various creatures are present around design, including snakes, lizards, dragons and squirrels. Design also features large ornamental flowers and leaves and stems. The rim dips to form large main basin, which depicts the Battle of the Amazons in relief, featuring several nude human figures and horses engaged in combat. The figures are in various poses, holding spears, bows and arrows, and on horseback. In the background is foliate, ornamental patterns. The centre domed section features a lone, crouching female figure with various weaponry behind her. Her hands are held behind her back. The domed scene is framed by a thin banc with repeating oval pattern.

Associations

Imperial Museum and Arsenal of Tzarskoe Zelo
The Great Exhibition