Intended to be executed in silver. Shown from above. The plan is in the upper right corner. The scheme is that of a fountain with an oblong basin with circular, obliquely disposed bowls at the corners. Three sitting griffins support each of the three bowls which the support the fountain. In front of the straight central parts are a stream god lying upon a shell, at the back two wind gods sitting upon a shell and supporting a dial which stands between them. A sketch above, at left, shows this motif. Written above the figure, at left: "oleo cento"; at right: "Zefiro vento" "15" is written in ink, in the upper right corner of the frame, in opposite direction. In each bowl is a cupid, upon a dolphin, from which water pours. In the center is an ovoid base formed by three steps. Above it four winged and armless mermaids. Two dolphins with tails carry a bowl in which "venus" stands. Below is a dark vase stripe. The background is colored. Letters are written in the plan. The captions begin below it:
"Pianta di una scrivania da/farsi in Argento figurando una Fontana di cenere al Bagno."A" [both halves of the back of the lower basin] Bagnvola rota p[er] metere sigilli e cera/di Spagna "B" [the bowls at the front] piano figura/agva "C"[the bowl at the back, at left] sito per campanello 'the next word had been struc hout] "D" [the bowl at the back at right] ["bugia" had been struck out] Sito della bugia. "E" [in the shell at the front] sito o[ve]e/ untiratore capaco p[er] la grandezza/della carta da scrivere si tira/ via il fiume conchiglia [struck out: "ove sta il"]fiore e tiratore." Above, at left: below the sketch is written: "F" [in the shell at the back] sito ove la labra conchiglia litica/ la cochiglia e le due Figure che/regano lorologio e sticchia. "H"[both halves of the front of the lower basin] Il piano/sarra lavorato a Raeschi cisellati/ [ in the upper basin] siti lavorati in forma di acqua/vale a dire li quatro Siti e quello/sotto la bagnarola." "15" is written in ink, in the upper right corner of the frame, in opposite directions.

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Object Timeline

1938	We acquired this object.
2012	We photographed this object.
2014	We exhibited this object.
2019	You found it!

Drawing, Inkstand, ca. 1810

This is a Drawing. It was designed by Giuseppe Barberi. It is dated ca. 1810 and we acquired it in 1938. Its medium is pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, graphite on off-white laid paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.

This design for a writing set was intended to be executed in silver. Directions for the craftsperson are scrawled under a small plan in the upper right corner. The scheme resembles a fountain, with Venus rising from her bath at the center. Basins at each of the four corners would contain seals, wax, ink and sand wells, a candle holder, nibs and pens. The sketch at the upper left represents a drawer handle for a hidden writing paper compartment. Rippling strokes of brown wash indicate which surfaces were to be rendered in imitation of water.

Barberi invented and drew fountains throughout his career. Although many were architectural fantasies, he did submit a project design for a Roman fountain to Pius VI in 1778. The motif of the reclining river god, seen here, relates to several of his fountain designs.

Barberi is known for his fluid sketching technique with pen and ink and his dramatic use of brush and wash for shading. This drawing reflects his early training with the goldsmith Luigi Valadier. The artist drew tirelessly but, despite his technical virtuosity, received few actual commissions and thus most of his bold designs exist only on paper.

This object was purchased from Mrs. Edward D. Brandegee. It is credited Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.

Small writing desk with curved back continuing in natural curve down the back legs. Liftable writing surface inset with stamped leather. Surface on all sides decorated with Oriental design of petals of mother-of-pearl and entwining lines of brass and silver alloy.

Label on drawer edge: Carlo Zen/Milano

Writing Desk (Italy), ca. 1902
joined, bent and turned fruitwood, inlaid with brass, white metal and....
Gift of John Goodwin.
1963-29-1

Upper left, front elevation of a desk. Upper section with center having flap opening to a compartmented interior with drawers and pigeon-holes, flanked by two lower sections with short drawers; center with flap opening to another series of compartments, and fitted for writing; below, two long drawers on legs. Upper right, details of construction, sections at two levels, shown from above. Scale at left.

Drawing, Design for Mechanical Furniture: Desk, ca. 1805
graphite, pen and ink, brush and watercolor on paper.
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council.
1911-28-488

Rectangular form, two shades of mahogany, solid and veneer, on four square tapering legs with horizontally ribbed bronze inlays, square bronze cuffs, acorn feet. Hinged table top with bronze edging and automatically emerging book-rest can be tilted and raised to various levels. One wide drawer in table skirt with ribbed bronze border and two bronze swag handles contains sliding leather-covered writing surface over three inner rear drawers and two sliding covered drawers in front, one of which is compartmented and can be pulled out through side of large drawer. Above each leg on skirt, a square cuff, three vertical grooves and a rosette; bronze beading frames central panel on each side. Horizontal splits through top in four places, badly scratched in upper left corner, other minor scratches, missing beading, missing pieces of wood.

Architect's Table (Germany), 1780–95
carved and joined mahogany, mahogany veneer, oak, walnut, pine, cherry,....
Gift of Anonymous Donor.
1952-160-1

Our curators have highlighted 2 objects that are related to this one.

Shellflowers assembled in tall bouquet and set in an ornamental vase with glass dome as a mantel garniture; probably English.

Shellwork Bouquet (coquillage) (England), ca. 1850
shells (coquillage), blown glass, walnut.
Gift of Channing Hare.
1971-7-4-a/f

Design for a writing set with a central cartouche showing Apollo (at left) holding a bottle and a muse (at right). The scene is framed with foliage, a large bush-like arrangement above surmounted by a count's crest. Central cartouche is framed by asymmetrical wells on either side.

Print, Ecritoire de Porcelaine [Design for a Porcelain Writing Set,...
etching on off-white laid paper.
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council.
1921-6-212-15-a

Its dimensions are

Image: 30.7 x 44.9 cm (12 1/16 x 17 11/16 in.) Mat: 40.6 x 55.9 cm (16 x 22 in.) Frame H x W x D: 44.8 x 60.3 x 2.5 cm (17 5/8 in. x 23 3/4 in. x 1 in.) Mount: 34.1 x 45.7 cm (13 7/16 in. x 18 in.)

It has the following markings

Verso: Cooper Union Museum for the Arts of Decoration (Lugt #457d)

It is inscribed

Inscribed in pen and brown ink, right: Pianta di una Scrivania da/ farsi in Argento figurando una/ fontana di venere al Bagno/ A Bagnarola vota p [er] metere Sigilli e Cera/ di Spagna B. calamaio e polverino p[er] campanello D/ Sito della bugia E Sito ove/ un tiratore capace p[er] la Grandezza/ della carta de scrivere si tira/ via il fiume con/ chiglia ove sta il [cancelled] fime e tirtore Inscribed in pen and brown ink, left: Oleo (Aeolo] vento Zefiro vento/ F sito ove e l'altra conchiglia, si tira/ la conchiglia e le due figure che/ regano l'orlogio some si trove alla/ L [ettera] G e si trova ed un sito per le penne/ temperino e stecchia H il piano sera [?] lavarto a Rabeschi cisellati/ I siti lavorati in forma di aqua/ vale a dire li quatro siti e quello/ sotto la bagnarola Numbered on the lining, upper right: 31

Cite this object as

Drawing, Inkstand, ca. 1810; Designed by Giuseppe Barberi (Italian, 1746–1809); Italy; pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, graphite on off-white laid paper; Image: 30.7 x 44.9 cm (12 1/16 x 17 11/16 in.) Mat: 40.6 x 55.9 cm (16 x 22 in.) Frame H x W x D: 44.8 x 60.3 x 2.5 cm (17 5/8 in. x 23 3/4 in. x 1 in.) Mount: 34.1 x 45.7 cm (13 7/16 in. x 18 in.); Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund; 1938-88-8189

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Hewitt Sisters Collect.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2D6eV/
Accession Number 1938-88-8189
Object ID 18553267