David and Goliath

17th century

German

On View

British Decorative Arts, Level 3, South Wing

David and Goliath: 1 of Collection Gallery

Image Only Image + Details All Images High Resolution TIFF Metadata

About the Artwork

Please note: This section is empty
Markings

Please note: This section is empty

This section contains information about signatures, inscriptions and/or markings an object may have.
Provenance

Please note: This section is empty

Provenance is a record of an object's ownership. We are continually researching and updating this information to show a more accurate record and to ensure that this object was ethically and legally obtained.

For more information on provenance and its important function in the museum, please visit:
Exhibition History

Please note: This section is empty

The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.

We welcome your feedback for correction and/or improvement.
Published References

Please note: This section is empty

We regularly update our object record as new research and findings emerge, and we welcome your feedback for correction and/or improvement.
Catalogue Raisonné

Please note: This section is empty

A catalogue raisonné is an annotated listing of artworks created by an artist across different media.
Credit Line for Reproduction

Please note: This section is empty

The credit line includes information about the object, such as the artist, title, date, and medium. Also listed is its ownership, the manner in which it was acquired, and its accession number. This information must be cited alongside the object whenever it is shown or reproduced.

About the Artwork

This intricate wax relief depicts the biblical hero David with the head of his opponent, Goliath. The artist paid remarkable attention to the scene’s details, which include a bejeweled helmet, a squirrel nibbling fruit, and a variety of textured patterns. An artwork modeled with such skill would have been displayed in a “cabinet of wonders,” or Wunderkammer.

Title David and Goliath

Artwork Date 17th century

Artist ----------

Life Dates ----------

Nationality Please note: Definitions for nationality may vary significantly, depending on chronology and world events. Some definitions include: Belonging to a people having a common origin based on a geography and/or descent and/or tradition and/or culture and/or religion and/or language, or sharing membership in a legally defined nation. German

Culture Please note: Cultures may be defined by the language, customs, religious beliefs, social norms, and material traits of a group. German

Medium Colored wax

Dimensions Unframed: 11 13/16 × 8 7/16 inches (30 × 21.5 cm) Framed: approx. 18 x 14 x 2.5 inches

Classification Sculpture

Department European Sculpture and Dec Arts

Credit Museum Purchase, European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Deaccession Fund

Accession Number This unique number is assigned to an individual artwork as part of the cataloguing process at the time of entry into the permanent collection. Most frequently, accession numbers begin with the year in which the artwork entered the museum’s holdings. For example, 2008.3 refers to the year of acquisition and notes that it was the 3rd of that year. The DIA has a few additional systems—no longer assigned—that identify specific donors or museum patronage groups. 2020.5

Markings

Inscriptions Inscribed and colored in red wax at bottom: Hier söchet Wunderding. Ein Schäfer fällt den Rißen / Sein Schlingen hat gethan Waß noch kein Spieß erwißen / Den Stab weicht nun daß Schwert: daß volle praller Haupt ligt ierzundt zur Erde / Weil es mieß undterligen durch daß selbst eigne Schwerdt (Here behold a wonderous thing. A shepherd strikes the Giant/ His sling has done what no spear has proven/ The sword now yields to the staff: the bearded head of the braggart now lies on the ground/ For it had to be subjected to his own sword)

Provenance

until 1917, Dr. Köhler (Vienna, Austria)

January 30, 1917, sold by Köhler through (C. J. Wawra, Vienna, Austria). by 2019, (Julius Böhler, Starnberg, Germany)

2020-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

For more information on provenance and its important function in the museum, please visit:

Provenance page

Exhibition History

Please note: This section is empty

The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.

We welcome your feedback for correction and/or improvement.

Suggest Feedback

Published References

Please note: This section is empty

We regularly update our object record as new research and findings emerge, and we welcome your feedback for correction and/or improvement.

Suggest Feedback

Catalogue Raisoneé

Please note: This section is empty

Credit Line for Reproduction

German, David and Goliath, 17th century, colored wax. Detroit Institute of Arts, Museum Purchase, European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Deaccession Fund, 2020.5.