Western/Central Europe, probably Germany or Belgium, ca. 16th century CE. A sizable and highly polished hammered brass alms plate from a church. The raised central basin bears 18 bulbous flower petals surrounding a narrower central flower, and enclosing the foliate motif is a raised inscription consisting of six repeating Gothic letters. The curved basin walls exhibit additional flower petals impressed across the surfaces, and the wide rim displays stamped semicircular rungs above two faint registers of radiant stars and a rolled lip. Size: 17" Diameter x 1.6" H (43.2 cm x 4.1 cm)
In the early 16th century, brass alms dishes had become very wide in diameter, with a wide base and ample room for designs. Abstract central motifs like this one were often surrounded by lettering, but the inscriptions were usually meaningless - just design elements. Many of these plates were produced in Nuremberg, with others produced in Flanders, Bouvignes, and Aachen, but they all shared techniques, making them difficult to assign to a single area of manufacture. When Charles the Bold took the city of Divant in Flanders in 1466, metalworkers fled from there to neighboring areas, spreading this technology and artistic style. These dishes were not just used for alms - or even, depending on location, primarily. Exported to the British Isles, they found their way to churches there as alms plates, but on continental Europe, paintings often show them used as basins for washing hands after a meal. Prior to forks being commonly used in the 17th century, this was a necessary part of the table.
Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection
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#137911
Condition
Very slight bending to overall form, with softening to some Gothic letters and stamped motifs on rim, and light abrasions, otherwise intact and excellent. Great patina and nice preservation to decorations.