Basin for a Ewer

This magnificent dish was made at Caffaggiolo (Medici workshop near Florence). The central medallion depicts a landscape in which a fox attempts to capture a shield from the possession of a bear, above which we can read 'E COSI VA CHE TROPO VOLLE', meaning this is what happens to him who wants too much. A depiction of what appears to be the Battle between the Lapiths and Centaurs surrounds the centre. The rim is decorated with grotesques and eight oval medallions showing allegoric scenes from the Bible and Roman history.