Art Funded by you

Dish painted with Hector of Troy and Chinese Birds

Unknown artist, c. 1630–1635

The dish is arguably the finest piece of early English tin-glazed earthenware in existence and it's quality rivals the Italian maiolica that inspired both its technique and decoration. It is also interesting due to its combination of Renaissance and Chinese decoration with identified design sources. The centre of the dish is finely painted with a man in an elaborate suit of armour copied in reverse from an engraving of Hector of Troy by the Nuremberg printmaker Virgil Solis (1514-62). The border, which is probably by another hand, is painted with a design of birds on rocks copied from Chinese export porcelain of about 1572-1620.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Dish painted with Hector of Troy and Chinese Birds, c. 1630–1635

Date supported

2008

Medium and material

Tin-glazed earthenware

Dimensions

Diameter: 34.5 cm

Grant

46917

Total cost

109250

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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