Dish
16th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
By the early 16th century, brass dishes became greater in diameter, the depressions shallower and the flanges of the rims correspondingly wider. Pictorial themes continued to be used in decoration, but the wider bases afforded scope for an increasing use of abstract decoration. A central motif might be bounded by one or two concentric bands of decoration of either interlaced scroll like waves or lettering. This was not necessarily embossed with punches in the traditional manner but was often cast in the mould at an earlier stage in manufacturer. The inscriptions themselves were usually meaningless and merely incorporated into the overall design for their decorative value.
The iconographical subject of this dish refers to a passage from the Old Testament: the two men sent ahead by Moses to spy out the land of Canaan. Moses’ two spies carry a pole between them resting on their shoulders: from it hangs a huge bunch of grapes.
Those exported to England were sometimes used as alms dishes. Elsewhere their function was primarily secular. European paintings of domestic interiors show that they were frequently used in conjunction with lavabos or ewers, also in brass, for washing hands after a meal. Before the 17th century, when forks became customary, such equipment was essential to any dining table.
The iconographical subject of this dish refers to a passage from the Old Testament: the two men sent ahead by Moses to spy out the land of Canaan. Moses’ two spies carry a pole between them resting on their shoulders: from it hangs a huge bunch of grapes.
Those exported to England were sometimes used as alms dishes. Elsewhere their function was primarily secular. European paintings of domestic interiors show that they were frequently used in conjunction with lavabos or ewers, also in brass, for washing hands after a meal. Before the 17th century, when forks became customary, such equipment was essential to any dining table.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Brass, hammered in relief and stamped |
Brief description | Brass dish depicting The Two Spies, German, 16th century |
Physical description | The dish is hammered in relief with an image of The Two Spies. |
Dimensions |
|
Content description | One of a group of basins, dishes and bowls known by collectors as Nuremberg Brass Basins, even though many were made elsewhere. |
Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | By the early 16th century, brass dishes became greater in diameter, the depressions shallower and the flanges of the rims correspondingly wider. Pictorial themes continued to be used in decoration, but the wider bases afforded scope for an increasing use of abstract decoration. A central motif might be bounded by one or two concentric bands of decoration of either interlaced scroll like waves or lettering. This was not necessarily embossed with punches in the traditional manner but was often cast in the mould at an earlier stage in manufacturer. The inscriptions themselves were usually meaningless and merely incorporated into the overall design for their decorative value. The iconographical subject of this dish refers to a passage from the Old Testament: the two men sent ahead by Moses to spy out the land of Canaan. Moses’ two spies carry a pole between them resting on their shoulders: from it hangs a huge bunch of grapes. Those exported to England were sometimes used as alms dishes. Elsewhere their function was primarily secular. European paintings of domestic interiors show that they were frequently used in conjunction with lavabos or ewers, also in brass, for washing hands after a meal. Before the 17th century, when forks became customary, such equipment was essential to any dining table. |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.129-1937 |
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Record created | December 17, 2003 |
Record URL |
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