Nuremberg 16th Cty, Brass Alms Dish Depicting St. George Slaying The Dragon
Nurnberg workshop (Germany)
16th century
Rare collection brass alms dish embossed and chiseled processing, featuring in its center a common and popular religious thema: St. George slaying the dragon. St. George, on horseback, pierces the fearsome monster with his lance.
A circular band bearing a gothic inscription difficult to read cause very stylisied—frames the main scene. Two rows of repeating motifs around the rim; rows of leaf and interlaced patterns ending in fleurs-de-lis
Condition: signs of use, suspension holes and wear on the brass, on the wing and in the center (please check photos)
very beautiful overall patina, no restorations or cuts
Diameter 41 cm and 3 cm deep
Weight g
"Saint George is the allegory of the victory of Faith over the Devil, the latter being represented in the last book of the Bible, or the Apocalypse, in the form of a dragon. He is distinguished from Saint Michael because, in iconography, the archangel is winged.
According to ancient legend, a dragon infested a lake in Silene, a city in Libya. After devouring the village’s sheep and young men, it was preparing to attack the princess to satisfy its appetite. The fearsome dragon, after devouring all the sheep, demanded a daily tribute from the inhabitants of two young men chosen by lot. George, a soldier from Cappadocia in the service of Emperor Diocletian, was riding through the town on his white horse on the day the lot fell on the king’s daughter, and she was about to become the monster’s next victim. St. George engaged the dragon in a fierce battle; with the help of Christ and after making the sign of the cross, he pierced it with his lance. The princess was saved, and the dragon followed her like a faithful dog all the way to the city. The city’s inhabitants agreed to convert to Christianity and be baptized. George killed the dragon with a blow from his scimitar"
*Frederico ANDRISIANI "Brass alms dishes, 15th and 16th centuries brass alms dishes, bowls and basins", Padua (Italy) 2017
*Tamas EGYEKI-SZABO " Beckensclägerschüsseln 15th–16th century," Budapest (Hungary) 2008
* Klaus TIEDEMANN, "Nürnberger Beckenschlägerschüsseln. Nuremberg Alms Dishes. 2" 2018
This alms dish come from a significant collection of similar alm dishes for sale, from two recently acquired collections (please check photos)
Period: 16th century
Style: Renaissance, Louis 13th
Condition: Good condition
Material: Brass
Diameter: 41cm
Depth: 3 cm
Reference (ID): 1776843
Availability: In stock
