Accession Number

Category

Creation Date

Materials

Description

Herrera style, shallow everted circular form, having a plain broad flat rim, the center elaborately chased and repousse with a scene of the Fall of Phaethon within a further South American landscape including two Llamas, further applied around the border with four chased stylized-scrolling gold oval bosses (original enamel worn); fitted on the base with a central threaded socket. 22.2 cm in diameter.

Dimensions

22.5 cm Diameter

22.5 x 2.5 cm (+1.0 cm threaded pin for base)

Exhibition Label

Case Caption (2023): N/A

 

Object Caption (2023):

Baroque Tazza
Silver gilt, (c.1600)
Gift of T.S.I Liquidation Trust
1989.002.0001

The story of Phaethon’s vanity and overconfidence was popular in Baroque art. It gave the artists a chance to show off their virtuosity in the dramatic foreshortening of the figure and tumbling horses. The surprising thing is that the sculptor of this dish proves to be Indigenous—he has depicted his native landscape as the background. This is not a scene of Italy or Spain because the city in the distance can be recognized as Cuzco, and there two llamas grazing on the hillside. This is Peru!