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Source Description
This jeweled marten's head is nearly identical to that attached to the fur held by the countess in Veronese's portrait of Countess da Porto (Walters 37.541). The animal was associated with childbirth, and wearing its fur was believed to increase a woman's fertility and protect her during pregnancy. Since antiquity, the marten had been thought to conceive through its ear or mouth (and therefore chastely). The dove on the creature's nose may be a symbol of the Holy Ghost and further allude to Mary's miraculous conception. This would add to the amulet's protective powers.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
20181
label
Marten's Head
core
obj
dtoType
object
citationUrl
pageCount
14
Source metadata
id
20181
sourceUrl
contentType
object
stage
normalized
title
Marten's Head
description
This jeweled marten's head is nearly identical to that attached to the fur held by the countess in Veronese's portrait of Countess da Porto (Walters 37.541). The animal was associated with childbirth, and wearing its fur was believed to increase a woman's fertility and protect her during pregnancy. Since antiquity, the marten had been thought to conceive through its ear or mouth (and therefore chastely). The dove on the creature's nose may be a symbol of the Holy Ghost and further allude to Mary's miraculous conception. This would add to the amulet's protective powers.
provenance
John Hunt, Dublin, Ireland; Walters Art Museum, 1967, by exchange.
date
ca. 1550-1559 (Renaissance)
citationUrl
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
genreSpecific
Gold, Silver & Jewelry
ornaments
imageCount
14
pageCount
14
source
import
dimensions
units
cm
width
3.4
height
7
depth
5.5
dimensionsRaw
H: 1 5/16 × L: 2 3/4 × W: 2 3/16 in. (3.4 × 7 × 5.5 cm)
Source extras
RelatedObjects
23952
med
gold with enamel, rubies, garnets, and pearls
creator_ids
6200
collection_ids
REN
exhibition_ids
1994
2202
2513
2289
13
3570
Page inventory
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