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Cast of a relief of Mercury from one of the Barberini candelabra in the Vatican
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SM M1355. ©Sir John Soane's Museum, London. Photo: Lewis Bush
Cast of a relief of Mercury from one of the Barberini candelabra in the Vatican
Plaster cast
Museum number: M1355
On display: Drawing Office - also known as the Students Room (pre-booked tours only)
All spaces are in No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields unless identified as in No. 12, Soane's first house.
For tours https://www.soane.org/your-visit
Curatorial note
This relief of Mercury with a ram is from the same Roman original as M1354 and M1092.
This cast appears in the view of Soane's upper office in J.M. Gandy's composite view of interiors at 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1822, P113.
At the time of Soane's death this cast was displayed on the west walll of the Drawing Office, below M1354. Although the two appear to be from the same original, this one has a more elaborate base and is in slightly higher relief. It also has a dark surface, unlike M1354 which is light and matches the others in the set of casts from the pair of Barberini candelabra that hang on the same wall. It is unclear whether this dark cast was always this colour; whether it was acquired at a different time from the rest and whether the panel of Venus M1359, now missing, which mirrored it in the arrangement, was also dark.
This cast appears in the view of Soane's upper office in J.M. Gandy's composite view of interiors at 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1822, P113.
At the time of Soane's death this cast was displayed on the west walll of the Drawing Office, below M1354. Although the two appear to be from the same original, this one has a more elaborate base and is in slightly higher relief. It also has a dark surface, unlike M1354 which is light and matches the others in the set of casts from the pair of Barberini candelabra that hang on the same wall. It is unclear whether this dark cast was always this colour; whether it was acquired at a different time from the rest and whether the panel of Venus M1359, now missing, which mirrored it in the arrangement, was also dark.
Associated items
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk