Christ in Limbo (the Harrowing of Hell)
16th century
Artist

Artwork overview
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Medium
nielloed silver
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Credit Line
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Dimensions
oval: 7.7 × 5.6 cm (3 1/16 × 2 3/16 in.)
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Accession
1961.9.151
Artwork history & notes
Provenance
Trivulzio Collection, Milan, probably after 1856. [1] (Alessandro Contini Bonacossi, 1878-1955, Rome and Florence);[2] purchased 26 June 1935 by Samuel H. Kress (1863-1955), New York; gift 27 September 1950 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York;[3] gift 1961 to NGA.
[1] Laura Aldovini, _I Nielli Trivulzio. Storia, Tecnica, Collezionismo,_Milan, 2021: 235.
[2] The bill of sale included sculptures, maiolicas, furniture, antique velvets, paintings, and enamels, for a total of one hundred objects. Copy in NGA curatorial files. See also The Kress Collection Digital Archive, (https://kress.nga.gov/Detail/acquisitions/ACQ143).
[3] An affidavit of 21 August 1956 by Herbert L. Spencer, executive director, Samuel H. Kress Foundation, states the Trivulzio collection of nielli and enamels were given by Samuel H. Kress to the Foundation on 27 September 1950; original in National Gallery of Art Archives. Secretary and General Counsel Records – Major Donor Files; copy in NGA curatorial files.
Associated Names
Bibliography
2021
Aldovini, Laura. I Nielli Trivulzio. Storia, Tecnica, Collezionismo. Milan, 2021: 227, 235, 272, no. 61, pl. XVI
Wikidata ID
Q63854487