Bowl
1480-1499 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This dish has some decorative motifs inspired by bowls from classical antiquity, but the interlocking swirls around the rim are typical features of late medieval silver.The exact function of the dish is uncertain, but it may have been used for delicacies like sweetmeats or in the washing of hands or for delicacies.The device of three entwined fish in the centre is an early Christian symbol, first used in the 2nd and 3rd centuries ( symbolising baptism under the Trinity of God, Christ and the Holy Spirit). It is possible that this indicates the pious devotion of the original owner to the Trinity, but it remains possible that here they are purely decorative.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, parcel-gilt |
| Brief description | Circular dish with concetric bands of Gothic swirling and wave decoration |
| Physical description | Circular bowl; parcel-gilt, with concentric bands of Gothic swirling and wave decoration. The central boss with a fish motif, Venice, late 15th century |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | Silver Gallery:
This bowl is typical of Venetian examples of the 15th century. While its ornament follows the Classical tradition the interlocked swirls along the rim are more Gothic. The three interlocked fish in the centre is an early Christian symbol from the 2nd and 3rd centuries for baptism under the Trinity.(26/11/2002) |
| Object history | According to Oman in Italian Secular Silver, V&A 1962, this may have originated in Dalmatia or the Aegean |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This dish has some decorative motifs inspired by bowls from classical antiquity, but the interlocking swirls around the rim are typical features of late medieval silver.The exact function of the dish is uncertain, but it may have been used for delicacies like sweetmeats or in the washing of hands or for delicacies.The device of three entwined fish in the centre is an early Christian symbol, first used in the 2nd and 3rd centuries ( symbolising baptism under the Trinity of God, Christ and the Holy Spirit). It is possible that this indicates the pious devotion of the original owner to the Trinity, but it remains possible that here they are purely decorative. |
| Bibliographic reference | Italian Secular Silver. Charles Oman, HMSO, 1962 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 274-1881 |
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| Record created | February 9, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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