Trophy
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Wood, gilt
Dimensions
Overall: 15 1/2 × 10 1/2 in. (39.4 × 26.7 cm)
Classification
Woodwork
Culture
French
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1906
Accession Number
07.225.350
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite giltwood *Trophy* from 18th-century France exemplifies the ornate decorative arts of the period, likely crafted for a grand interior such as a salon or cabinet. Carved from wood and lavishly gilded, it features motifs of a bow and arrow intertwined with blooming flowers and scrolling leaves—classic elements of a sculptural trophy symbolizing triumph, perhaps in hunting or martial prowess. At 15½ × 10½ inches, its compact scale suggests it adorned furniture, wall paneling, or a mantel, adding a touch of aristocratic splendor. In the opulent world of Louis XV and early Louis XVI ...