A rare 16th century Limoges grisaille & gilt enamel bowl, de...

Hammer

£3,000

A rare 16th century Limoges grisaille & gilt enamel bowl, decorated internally with a narrative scene, ‘Adam & Eve eating the forbidden fruit’, after the print by Étienne Delaune, Adam seated eating an apple as Eve talks with the anthropomorphised serpent, with animals throughout the scene, with faint gilt wash shadows of trees beyond, with scrolling gilt border, underside with white and gilt trailing swags, (missing central foot) 62cm high, 19cm diameter, c1550-80

Provenance: from the estate of Henry Lane Eno (1871-1928), thence by descent.

Footnote: The central scene is a mirror-image section after a print by Etienne Delaune (French, c. 1518-1583) (Cf. Baltimore Museum of Art with a print by Stefano Scolari (Italian, 1640 - 1691) after Delaune Object Number 1946.112.1072). The Limoges artist has altered certain elements slightly but retained the essential composition and details such as the sleeping dog and feeding squirrel. The Louvre holds in its collection a plate attributed to Jean Miette entitled “Le Péché d'Adam et Eve” that draws upon the same artistic inspiration. The handling of the details and anatomy are slightly different from this example but it shares the artist's willingness to incorporate animals of all types, a feature also seen on another work attributed to Miette, ‘The Creation of Adam’ on a plate in the British Museum. See also the Fitzwilliam Museum's cup and cover depicting the creation of Adam by Jean Court (Vigier) (Accession Number: M.31 & A-1933). The stylistic depiction of the foliage to the tree and ground, and the detailing of animals suggest a kinship with the artist responsible for this bowl.

More Information

there are some marks, scratches, knocks, and wear to surface consistent with age and heavy use. Lacks stem/foot. Top rim with knocks and losses, evidence also of old repair. Background formerly with gild detailed trees, rocks and water now rubbed but faintly visible in cross light. Some wear and cracking to enamel notably around her navel. Reverse with some scratching and rubbed loss to gilded decoration. Please refer to additional images for visual references to condition which forms part of this condition report.