16th-century Nuremberg Paschal Lamb Offering Dish

A rare offering dish made of repoussé brass depicting the Paschal Lamb. A beautiful example of 16th-century Nuremberg copperwork.

The central medallion is adorned with a depiction of the Paschal Lamb, a major symbol of the Christian faith. The lamb, surrounded by a halo and bearing the triumphal cross surmounted by the banner of the Resurrection, evokes Christ—first sacrificed and then victorious over death. This iconography, inspired by the Book of Revelation and the Easter liturgy, embodies salvation and redemption.

The scene is surrounded by a Gothic inscription in relief, characteristic of works from the Nuremberg workshops, while the side of the basin is decorated with an elegant, repetitive embossed frieze, executed with great finesse.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, Nuremberg’s copper smiths were among the most prestigious in Europe. Their offering dishes and basins, made of repoussé and stamped brass, were intended for both religious worship and domestic use. Today, they are particularly sought after for the quality of their craftsmanship, the richness of their decoration, and the significance of their religious iconography.

In good condition with a uniform antique patina and some signs of wear consistent with its age.

A beautiful piece from the High Renaissance, emblematic of Nuremberg’s Renaissance-era production.