The crater vase depicting The Triumph of the Sun was presented at the 1862 London Exposition with the following description: Narrative Medici Vase. The vase recalls the Neo Attic shape of a crater vase found in Rome and preserved at Villa Medici until the end of the eighteenth century, when it was moved to Florence. This shape was a very popular feature of the Doccia Factory’s nineteenth-century production, and acquired the name Medici Vase.

VASO TRIONFO DEL SOLE - 015 5634 00000 - h cm 47 - inch 18 1/2

The Cellini Vase is so named for its close stylistic affinities with Florentine sculptor Benvenuto Cellini’s (1500-1571) works in gold. Unfortunately we have little evidence pertaining to his profession as a goldsmith, although we do know that this was his main activity. Some records of the pieces he produced however do exist, in the form of a treatise on the goldsmith’s art written by him, wherein some of the shapes recognizable in the Cellini Vase are described. 

VASO CELLINI - 015 5609 00000 - h cm 41 - inch 16
PIATTO CELLINI - 015 5608 00000 - ø cm 41,5 - inch 16