Plate depicting arms of Guidobaldo II, della Rovere, Duke of Urbino (1538-1574), made in Urbino, about 1565-70, tin-glazed earthenware

Large dish of tin-glazed earthenware, painted in colours with the subject of Mucius Scaevola before King Porsenna. At the top is a shield with the arms of Guidobaldo II Duke of Urbino (1538-1574), surmounted by his 'impresa, three 'metae' encircled by a coronet, and surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. The painting represents several Roman soldiers grouped on either side of an altar. Behind them are tents and in the distance a city beside a river. Inscribed on the back -G.V.V.D. Munus F. Andreae Volaterrano. Mutio ch la sua destra erante cocie ('Mucius fails in his attempt and burns his own right hand.')

Transferred from the Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street

From a service given to Fra Andrea of Volterra by Guidobaldo II della Rovere, Duke of Urbino (1538-1574), whose arms the dish bears.

A banquet proclaimed a host’s wealth. Across Europe, this was partly achieved by displaying valuable silver, glass or ceramics, like this dish, on a makeshift, stepped structure. In Italy, this was called a ‘credenza’ (meaning ‘trust’,a reference to the practice of testing food for poison), while in France and England it was a ‘buffet’. Sometimes food and functional objects were included on the bottom tier. Once dinner was over, the shelves were dismantled and the valuables locked away.

4728-1901