Spain 17th Golden Bronze Plaque Adoration Of The Magi, After Engraving Of Jan Sadeler

HAUTE EPOQUE

Small miniature rectangular portrait-format gilded bronze plaque depicting the Adoration of the Magi, Spain early 17th century.
These religious plaques had enormous success in 17th century, as evidenced by their reproduction in numerous copies (please check attached documentation).
Intended for private use, they were not produced for church of religious places but rather for personal use, and could also be easily transported.

This plaque is directly produced after a 1581 engraving by Johann SADELER (for example, an engraving preserved at the Art and History Museum of Geneva in Switzerland, inventory number E 2014-0088), which would itself be inspired by a drawing and painting by Maarten DE VOS (please check photos of this ad). However, the emulation of the period and the multiplicity of orders do not always make it easier to attribute the works and date them relative to one another (please check the attached photo of the central panel of the tryptich of Pieter ARTSEN from Rijkmuseum collection).

Framed in a molded setting, this plaque showcases Saint Joseph and the Virgin seated before him at the center. One of the Magi, who has placed his crown on the ground, kneels to the left and kisses the hand of the Child. The other two Magi, standing on either side, present vessels as offerings. In the background, against an architecturally designed setting with columns and arches, are the donkey and the ox on the right, as well as the servants of the Magi accompanied by horses on the left.

Period: First third of 17th century.

'Plaquettes' refer to small bronze bas-reliefs that seem to have been intended to preserve the memory of the works of the best goldsmiths of the Italian Renaissance: peace kisses, chasuble buttons, clothing clasps, insignia, ornaments that were attached to armor and belts or nailed to horse harnesses for ceremonial days. Finally, bas-reliefs with which we adorned boxes, salt shakers, and inkstands; all items that were made in silver and gold, repoussé and chiseled with the utmost delicacy.

According to me, an apocryphal date has been added to the reverse, mentioning the year 1700. This mention was clearly not made simultaneously with the plaque, which is definitely in any case, not from the 19th century, due to its wear, its patina,...
The fashion and use of these plaques further supports my point of vue to date it more certainly and accurately early 17th century, like many similar and contemporary other examples.
In fact, I ve found several very similar examples of these bronze plaques in public institutions (for example, one in the Russell COTE art gallery and museum in Bournemouth, United Kingdom, or another one in the KUNSTGEWERBEMUSEUM in Berlin, inv. no. 26,30). Please check the last photos of this announcement.

Dimensions:
10 cm height
* 7 cm width.

Condition:
Note a little use on the reliefs which adds to the technique of overmolding of the original plate.
Very good condition and superb patina of the plaque. The gilding is also well present.