The vase, made around 1480, is one of the masterpieces of Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi known as Antico (1460-1528 ca.) for his ability to work bronze by referring to classical models. Originally it was part of the Gonzaga collections in Mantua, hence the name, while it is recorded for the first time in an inventory of objects transported from the Palazzo Ducale to the Liceo di Modena dating back to 24 April 1797. The work was presumably designed to celebrate the wedding of Gianfrancesco Gonzaga (1446-1496), count of Rodigo and Bozzolo, and Antonia del Balzo (1461-1538), which took place in 1479, as suggested by the main theme, namely the procession of Tritoni and Naiads celebrating the marriage of Neptune and Amphitrite. The choice of the iconographic theme, as well as the rich decorations with festoons, signs, tablets with emblems and mottos, are a precious testimony of the spread of antiquarian taste in the Padana area during the fifteenth century thanks to the presence of Andrea Mantegna (1431-1506) .
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Title:The Gonzaga Vase
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Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi, detto l'Antico