Jan & John Maggs

Antiques and Art

An exceptionally decorative early spun alms dish

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A large brass alms dish/plate festooned with repoussé, chasing, and punchwork. A beautiful example of the form and a wonderful decorative object. The center of the often-polished dish is raised in repoussé, with twelve leaf motifs surrounding a central circle, framed in punchwork. The leaves are enclosed in a circle containing what appears to be a Latin text, and the broad rim is enhanced by two rings of punchwork. The bowl then rises to near rim height and a concentric ring of quite worn punchwork designs. The rim is comprised of two more concentric rings: the inner a series of punches, while the edge is rolled over wire. There is a (later) hanging hook soldered to the verso. The face of the plate has been polished countless times in its life, and there are splits and a repair at the rim. A well-loved example of the form, with a history of use.

Continental, ca. 1600, possibly Nuremberg

Diameter: 17 ⅛"; Height: 1 ¼”

Price: $ 725

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