George III

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Apparently made as a memorial, this cameo captures George III (r. 1760–1820) in old age, pink, roly-poly and bug-eyed but occupying the field with tremendous authority, much as in the coins designed by Benedetto Pistrucci, which it emulates. Pistrucci’s prowess in modeling and carving (abundantly evident in 2003.431, 2007.30, and 40.20.49) gained him a post at the Royal Mint in London in 1816, soon after he emigrated to England, and he became chief medalist there in 1828.

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The fifty thousand objects in the Museum's comprehensive and historically important collection of European sculpture and decorative arts reflect the development of a number of art forms in Western European countries from the early fifteenth through the early twentieth century. The holdings include sculpture in many sizes and media, woodwork and furniture, ceramics and glass, metalwork and jewelry, horological and mathematical instruments, and tapestries and textiles. Ceramics made in Asia for export to European markets and sculpture and decorative arts produced in Latin America during this period are also included among these works.

Metropolitan Museum of Art