- Museum number
- C927A119
- Object
- Miniature carved scene: Garlanding the Herm, Stephany and Dresch, Bath, ivory on blue glass, about 1795
- Description
- Circular ivory micropicture of classical scene in which two nymphs are garlading a herm, overlooked by putti. Very finely carved with a dark blue glass background. 1887 Holburne catalogue - "Two ivory landscapes, with figures in relief" [the other is 927a120]
- Materials
- Ivory
- On display?
- Yes
Further description
- Simple name
- Carving
Micro ivory carving: Garlanding the Herm
G Stephany and J Dresch
Ivory, about 1795
C927A 119
Small finely crafted pictures were often made to be held and their detail pored over. This tour de force of virtuoso ivory carving was made in Bath by the celebrated G Stephany and J Dresch. Originally from Germany, the pair specialised in miniature carvings of breathtaking and scarcely believable intricacy.
Stephany and Dresch were described as ‘the most eminent sculptors in ivory in Europe’. Their extraordinarily intricate pieces, ‘so fine that a glass is necessary to discover its beauties’, attracted royal attention and they were soon describing themselves as ‘Sculptors in Miniature on Ivory to their Majesties’.
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