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A Brief Look at Historic Reproductions in the Collection

  • Post Date: 10/14/2016
  • Author: Amy Heggemeyer
  • Reading Time: 4 minute read

The Medieval Irish reproductions currently on display at Spurlock aren't the only historic reproductions in the museum collection. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, university museums purchased a variety of high-quality reproductions as a way to bring archaeological treasures to the midwest. Here's a sampling of some that ended up at Spurlock.

Pompeii and Herculaneum

These reproductions of objects excavated at Pompeii and Herculaneum (1916.07) were made by Chiurazzi & Sons. The originals are located in the National Museum of Naples.

  • bronze
    Reproduction: Bloodletting Cup Original found at Pompeii, Italy Purchase from Chiurazzi & De Angelis 1916.07.0017
  • bronze
    Reproduction Surgical Scissors Original found at Pompeii, Italy Purchase from Chiurazzi & De Angelis 1916.07.0015
  • dark gray, bronze butcher's weight with green patina
    Reproduction Butcher's Weight Original found at Pompeii, Italy Purchase from Chiurazzi & De Angelis 1916.07.0020

Minoan Shroud Pins

These reproductions were crafted by Emile Gillieron & Fils, Athens. The originals are now located in the National Museum, Athens.

  • small gold disc with 7-circle embossed design
    Reproduction Minoan Shroud Pin by Emile Gillieron & Fils, Athens Purchase from Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, Geislingen 1913.01.0003
  • small gold disc with embossed spider design
    Reproduction Minoan Shroud Pin (1913.01.0004) by Emile Gillieron & Fils, Athens Purchase from Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, Geislingen 1913.01.0004
  • small gold disc with embossed octopus design
    (1913.01.0005) by Emile Gillieron & Fils, Athens Purchase from Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, Geislingen 1913.01.0005
  • small gold disc with embossed geometric curly design
    Reproduction Minoan Shroud Pin (1913.01.0006) by Emile Gillieron & Fils, Athens Purchase from Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, Geislingen 1913.01.0006
  • small gold disc with embossed flower design
    Reproduction Minoan Shroud Pin (1913.01.0007) by Emile Gillieron & Fils, Athens Purchase from Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, Geislingen 1913.01.0007

Minoan Miniature House Panels

Another interesting set of Minoan reproductions is this set of miniature house panels. These reproductions were made by Emile Gillieron & Fils, Athens.

  • tiny depiction of a grey and red striped house wall
    Reproduction of Minoan Miniature House Plaque (1920.01.0004) by Emile Gillieron & Fils, Athens Purchase 1920.01.0004
  • tiny depiction of a green bricked house wall
    Reproduction of Minoan Miniature House Plaque (1920.01.0005) by Emile Gillieron & Fils, Athens Purchase 1920.01.0005
  • stiny depiction of a black striped house wall
    Reproduction of Minoan Miniature House Plaque (1920.01.0006) by Emile Gillieron & Fils, Athens Purchase 1920.01.0006
  • tiny depiction of a striped house wall with two windows
    Reproduction of Minoan Miniature House Plaque (1920.01.0009) by Emile Gillieron & Fils, Athens Purchase 1920.01.0009

Loredo Taft Collection

A final look at historic reproductions in the Spurlock Collections brings us to the Lorado Taft Collection (1948.01). Many of the reproductions in this set were shown in the Egyptian Exhibit at Chicago's Century of Progress Exposition of 1933.

  • slender figure wearing a brilliant blue tall hat and holding a flat object
    Reproduction Figure: Akhenaten with an Offering Original found in tomb of Tutankamen Now in The Egyptian Museum, Cairo from the Lorado Taft Collection 1948.01.0012
  • black-colored bust of a pharoah's face
    Reproduction Portrait Bust: Sesostris III Temple of Montu at Medamud Original in The Egyptian Museum, Cairo from the Lorado Taft Collection 1948.01.0050
  • figurine of a seated woman fixing a child's hair
    Reproduction Miniature: Woman Dressing Hair Made by Lorado Taft from the Lorado Taft Collection 1948.01.0046
  • figure of kneeling god raising hand and looking toward the sky
    Reproduction Figure: Horus, Sky God Bronze original located in The Egyptian Museum, Cairo from the Lorado Taft Collection 1948.01.0045
  • mostly unpainted figure of a standing nude woman
    Reproduction Figure: Nefertiti Original in Ägyptisches Museum, Berlin from the Lorado Taft Collection 1948.01.0011

Explore More

Purchases from Chiurazzi & De Angelis (1916.07)
Purchases from Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (1913.01)
Loredo Taft Collection (1948.01)