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Art of enamel in Florence of the fi rst half of the XIVth century
DOI of the paper: 10.15382/sturV201520.113-124
Abstract
The article is devoted to the goldsmiths` art in Florence of the first half of the 14th century. It was a period of prosperity of Florence Commune, which gave an extraordinary development of fine arts, especially goldsmiths` art. At the end of the 13th century the goldsmiths of Siena invented a new technique of enamel — translucent enamel upon silver relief (basse taille enamel), famous for its color values. The making of translucent enamels began in Florence in the first half of the 14th century. But the goldsmiths of Florence managed to combine translucent and opaque enamels, and they never abandoned ancient champlevé enamel. Altar decoration made by Andrea Pucci Sardi performs wide using of opaque champlevé enamel on copper gilt. One can see some elements of Byzantine influence in its composition and Giottesque tradition in images. The goldsmith Andrea Arditi became the first Florence jeweler who used translucent enamel technique in his art. The unique silver chalice with translucent and opaque enamels in good condition made by Andrea Arditi is located in the Moscow Kremlin Museum. The second work of Arditi reliquary of San Zanoby from Florence Cathedral has lost its enamel decoration. In the Moscow Kremlin Museum there is a gilded copper cross with opaque enamels. It is attributed as work of Florentine goldsmith of the middle of the 14th century. In the enamel art of Florence one can see the tradition Giotto painting and some features of a new Gothic style.
Keywords
Florence, medieval enamel art, Andrea Pucci Sardi, Andrea Arditi, translucent and opaque enamel, champlevé enamel, basse taille enamel, chalice, reliquary, Gothic art, jeweler, ecclesiastical item, technique
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