Bowl base

A peculiar object that currently does not fulfil its original function because its integrally connected part – a bowl – has not survived. The preserved base gives only an idea of the original composition of this interesting set with a fancy composition and decoration. The base consists of an octagonal bronze-gilt piece on which the full-bodied figure of a wild boar standing on its rear hooves and holding a small gilded vase – a bowl base – with its front hooves is placed. The vase is finished with three holders at the top that originally served as bowl holders. But it is also worth noting what happens on the back of the boar; we see here a jolly monkey holding an apple in its right hand.

This very impressive object can be seen in publications concerning the history of the Wilanów mansion, which suggests that it was an important item in the old museum exhibition. The bowl base was included as an exhibit in a temporary art exhibition held by Aleksandra and August Potocki, the owners of Wilanów, in their Warsaw palace at Krakowskie Przedmieście in 1856. In the exhibition catalogue entitled ‘The 1856 exhibition of antiquities and art objects held in the Palace of His Excellency Count August Potocki and his wife in Warsaw at Krakowskie Przedmieście for the benefit of the Shelter Home of the Blessed Virgin Mary’, the object is listed as follows under the catalogue number 482. ‘A semi-circular bowl with an agate foot; its bronze base depicts a wild boar climbing on its rear legs and holding a bowl in its front legs, with a monkey riding on the boar; the bronze is partly gilded and partly painted. The entire item is fastened on a marble base – a product dating back to the end of the 17th century (…).’ In the content of this object, the description is a particularly valuable testimony to the part of the object that has not survived till today, which forms a set of a semi-circular bowl with an agate leg. What we see today, serves as a base for the lost bowl.