Gondola cup (Coupe gondole) with Venus as Summer and Adonis as Autumn
Unknown Artist
early 17th century
Medium
Lead-glazed earthenware
Dimensions
Overall: 2 3/4 × 8 in. (7 × 20.3 cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Pottery
Culture
French, Avon or Fontainebleau
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.190.2048
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming *Gondola cup (Coupe gondole) with Venus as Summer and Ad as Autumn* is a delightful example of early 17th-century French ceramics from the Avon or Fontaineble region. Crafted from lead-glazed earthenware, this petite vessel measures just 2¾ × 8 inches, shaped like a slender gondola boat—a whimsical form that evokes luxury and leisure. The glossy lead glaze, typical of French pottery workshops in these areas, provided a vibrant, durable finish, allowing for intricate decorations in rich colors on a fine white clay body. The cup's motifs draw from classical mythology, personifying...