Salver, engraved brass, Croatia, (Dalmatia), Sibenik, made by Horacio Fortezza, 1562.

Salver of brass, engraved with scenes from Roman history and portraits of Roman emperors and authors; the shield in the centre bears the arms of the Delfini family.

Circular. The subjects represented are, on the bottom:- REMVS slain in the presence of ROMVLUS; the PATRES ROMANI before ROMVLVS ET REMVS; ROMVLVS defeating the VECENTES (Veientes); the Rape of the SABINÆ carried out under ROMVLVS, (the altar of NEPTVNVS to the right): alternating with these scenes are medallions containing the heads of the emperors, GALBA, DOMITIANVS, TIBERIVS, and TITVS. On the curve of the bottom;- the GALLI defeated by CORVINVS; SCIPIO at the burning of the fleet of CARTHAGO; TORQVATVS slaying the champion of the GALLI; SYRACVSÆ taken by MARCELLVS: in the medallions between, figures of the authors, TITO LIVIVS AURELIVS VIC(tor), PLVTARCHVS and SVETONIVS. On the rim, PVBLICOLA and his companions expelling TARQVINVS from Rome; MVTIVS Scaevola before PORSENA; CORIOLANVS receiving his mother, wife and child outside the city of ROMA; HORATIVS guarding the bridge against the HETRVSCI: in the intervening medallions, heads of emperors OTHO, AVGVSTVS, VITELLIVS and CLAUDIVS. The subjects described, arranged in three bands, are enclosed in cartouche-work supported by grotesque figures or adorned with masks and bucrania. The heraldic shield is surrounded by trophies with a band of fruit and foliage.

This dish is extensively engraved with scenes from Roman history and portraits of various Roman emperors and authors.. Among the subjects represented are: `The Rape of the Sabine Women', Scipio at the Burning of the Fleet at Carthage,' and `Coriolanus receiving his mother, wife and child outside the gates of Rome'. These scenes are interspersed with medallions containing portraits of such figures as Plutarch, Livy, Claudius and Augustus. The engraved armorial at the centre bears the arms of the Delfini family.

This dish is most unusual in that it is signed and dated: an indication not only of the craftsman's self confidence but also of the importance attached to this particular commission.

572-1899