Large 16th C. European Brass Alms Plate

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Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages

By Artemis Gallery

Feb 10, 2022

Set Reminder 2022-02-10 10:00:00 2022-02-10 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-art-through-the-ages-8873
Join us for Part Two of a spotlight on two fabulous collections, one from Lumberton, Texas, and the other from Whisnant Gallery in New Orleans. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Western Europe, Belgium, France, or Germany, ca. 16th to 17th century CE. A large and beautiful brass alms plate from a Christian church. The raised central area is like a flower with petals radiating from the circular center. Surrounding the petals is a ring of gothic script, which is too faint to discern; usually the lettering was meaningless and simply a design element. The flange of the rim is broad with a rolled lip and a stamped edge, a flared design like a fleur-de-lis or tree. A hook has been added to verso for displaying this offering plate, perfect for reminding you about that 10% tithe. Size: 18.25" L x 1.6" W (46.4 cm x 4.1 cm)
  
  In the early 16th century, brass alms dishes had become very wide in diameter, providing ample room for designs. Abstract central motifs like this one were often surrounded by lettering. 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 used for alms. Exported to the British Isles, they found their way to churches 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.
  
  Display stand shown in photos is for photography purposes only.
  
  Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
  
  Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
  
  #137909

  Condition

  Indentations and slight bending of form. Tearing to lip and loss to brass surface. Russet patina and oxidation. Staining and discoloration to surfaces. Gothic script is worn and too faint to discern. Newer metal ring hook welded to verso. Old inventory label and written label directly on surface.
• Shipping Info

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