A DUTCH SILVER PLAQUETTE, UNSIGNED, POSSIBLY ADAM VAN VIANEN, EARLY 17TH CENTURY |

from a tazza, embossed and chased with the Conversion of St. Paul on the Road to Demascus

Assay scrapes, solder at rim on underside where it has been ripped off the tazza, tazza disc on backside, old repairs, general condition very good
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The image is after an engraving by Antonio Tempesta of 1605, dedicated to Lucas Cavalcante and printed by Andrea Vaccaro. The print is recorded in the 1818 edition of Le Peintre Graveur by Adam Bartsch, vol. 17, no 496. An example exists in the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, acquisition no. 1963.30.36461. Another plaquette of this scene, in silver-gilt, signed by Adam van Vianen, was sold in Christie's Exceptional sale, London, 9 July 2015, lot 147. The example at Christie's had been mounted as a tazza by the London goldsmiths, Robert Hennell & Son in 1842 and had an added rim. The present plaquette is unsigned, but apart from a very minor reduction to the visible scene, where the rim starts, it appears to be of equal quality to the example at Christie's and varies from the latter in only minute detail In addition to the Christie's example, two other realizations of the Road to Demascus by Adam Van Vianen, are known. (J.W. Frederiks, Dutch silver, The Hague, 1952, nos. 45B and 48E). The latter of these, circa 1613 is partly taken from  an engraving of 1576 by Cornelis Cort (1533-1578).