A South German renaissance pewter salver, so-called 'Marsschüssel', Nürnberg, Caspar Enderlein, after a model by François Briot Early 17th century

the raised centre cast with the seated figure of Mars surrounded by four figures facing outwards and designated as Abondancia, Bellum, Invidia and Paix thus inscribed, cavetto of mannerist strap work inhabited by creatures, the border cast with female allegorical figures of the Four Continents within oval cartouches and thus inscribed, alternating with four male figures representing Julius Caesar, Ninus, Cyrus, Alexander the Great, the reverse with numerous areas of soldering to consolidate breaks, dark grey varnished patina

Related Literature:
Demiani 1867, p. 50, fig. 24

Haedeke 1963, fig. 120

François Briot was born in Damblain (Lorraine) around 1550 into a family of painters, printers, mintmasters and medallists. He is first recorded as potier d’estain de Dambellain, when inscribed into the metalworker's guild in Montbéliard in 1580. This town, in German known as Mömpelgard, was the capital of the county bearing the same name and formed part of the possessions of the House of Württemberg.

This county was of importance in accepting the numerous protestants fleeing from France and elsewhere during the second half of the 16th century. Briot worked initially as a pewterer but then also found work as engraver and medallist. In 1585 he was declared Graveur de Son Excellence Friedrich, Duke of Württemberg and Mömpelgard. Outstanding among his works is the so-called Temperantia dish, circa 1585-90; several versions of this cast survive. Hinze 1963 illustrates the one preserved in the Museum für Kunsthandwerk, Dresden (op.cit. fig. 116). Although it has debated whether Briot was a German or a French artist, considering the composition of this important dish it is clear that the artist was ultimately inspired by the wallpaintings by Primaticcio at Fontainebleau, while also drawing inspiration from the Strassburg engraver Etienne Delaune.

Caspar Enderlein, born in Basel in 1560, arrived in Nürnberg 1583-84, married and became master in 1586. He joined the Meistersinger, often won prices and even composed. His fame was achieved by reproducing in 1611 the Temperantia dish by François Briot. He accomplished this by adding features rather than by copying. Several casts of this dish survive. Hinze 1963 illustrates the one preserved in the Museum für Kunsthandwerk, Dresden (op.cit. fig. 144).