Exceptional Limoges 16th Century Enamel, Nardon Pénicaud

Exceptional Limoges enamel plate from the 16th century, attributed to the workshop of Nardon Pénicaud (1470-1542/3), representing the outraged Christ surrounded by the Virgin Mary and Saint John, under a Gothic arcade. The colors are remarkable and enhanced with gilding. Certain details (mainly the halos) are adorned with translucent enamels treated like pearls. Dark brown counter enamel. The edges of the plate, often showing gaps, have been restored for good readability and an optimal state of presentation. Dimensions: 13 X 11.2 cm Our plate is similar to another, almost identical, kept at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. Here is the description which is made of it, and which describes our copy just as well: "The Man of Sorrows Disciple of Nardon Pénicaud (French, 1470-1542/3) (Artist) early 16th century (Renaissance) painted enamel on copper ( Europe of the Renaissance) Under a polygonal canopy with three arches in cuspided accolade, supported by a pair of columns composed of shafts of three different designs, and opening onto a Gothic chapel with rib vaults (much resembling that of the stained glass windows from the end of the 15th century in the church of Saint-Michel-des-Monts, Limoges), Christ appears behind a balustrade, between Mary and Saint John. This type of plaque depicting a popular subject for private devotion was most likely intended for a private space such as a bedroom or a monk's cell. Christ, crowned with thorns, is naked and bleeding from his wounds. He raises his pierced right hand. The Virgin, hands clasped inert in front of her, stands stands on his right. Saint John, his arms crossed on his chest, stands on Christ's left. On the purplish-brown balustrade between the two columns are the purple mantle with clasps of the Mockery of Christ, the thirty coins of Judas, the three dice of Calvary and the three nails of the cross. These objects, chosen from among those relating to the Passion of Christ, constituted in the Middle Ages the "coat of arms of Christ" (Arma Christi), and they are therefore placed in the foreground at the bottom of the plaque, in the space which would be reserved for a heraldic coat of arms. The cornice is supported by eight columns alternately pink and lavender and spotted with green. Two of the prophets who predicted the Passion of Christ stand on supports between the arches of the canopy."