Antique 19thC Rare Victorian Silver Plated Milton Shield, Elkington & Co c.1878 Repouse Masterpiece

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ANTIQUE 19thC RARE VICTORIAN SILVER PLATED MILTON SHIELD, ELKINGTON & CO c.1878
Artist: Leonard Morel-Ladeuil
Title: Milton Shield
Size:h:35" x … Read more ANTIQUE 19thC RARE VICTORIAN SILVER PLATED MILTON SHIELD, ELKINGTON & CO c.1878
Artist: Leonard Morel-Ladeuil
Title: Milton Shield
Size:h:35" x w:26"
Medium/Ground: Silver plated copper
Year Created:1878
Signature: Artist or Maker - Léonard Morel-Ladeuil. Signed Morel Ladeuil 1878 bottom left of central scene.Elkington & Co. manufacturers top middle makers mark on back and on bottom of central scene.
Condition: Rubbing to the bronze and silver areas, other than this general wear but no significant visible damage, refer to images


Description

Antique 1878 rare Victorian silver plated electrotype model of the Milton Shield, of oval form, decorated with scenes from John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost”.
Decorated in relief with a central scene of good vs evil framed to either side by elongated, kidney shaped reserves with scenes from John Milton's 'Paradise Lost', the 2 upper scenes depicting angels and cherubs viewing the battle below and the 2 bottom kidney shapes depicting demons viewing the battle above. The border with religious symbols, and Milton holding a book sleeping under the central scene.

The shield bears the mark Elkington & Co on back top as well as the bottom of the center medallion. The shield is a Victorian replica of the original made by the sculptor Leonard Morel-Ladeuil for the company Elkington & Co. The original, in silver and iron, was made for the 1867 exhibition and took three years to produce. It won a gold medal for the artist and was bought by the Victoria & Albert museum where it remains in exhibition.

Artist Bio:
Leonard Morel-Ladeuil (1820 -1888), French sculptor and goldsmith, was a master of the repoussé technique. He collaborated for decades with the British silver manufacturers Elkington & Co. In 1866 he designed one of his masterworks for the Parisian world exhibition of 1867, the "Milton Shield". The epic poem "Paradise Lost" by the London poet John Milton (1608 - 1674) was the inspiration for this work. The art world of 1867 celebrated the original as the most important exhibit of the whole exhibition, it was acquired by the London V&A museum where it is still exhibited today. See less