A CONTINENTAL SILVER GILT TAZZA, UNMARKED, PROBABLY SPANISH OR SPANISH NETHERLANDS, CIRCA 1600 |

cast and chased, with Saul anointing David pouring liquid from a horn, Jesse sits to the right, his rejected sons stand to the left, a sacrifice behind while David plays his harp and his called by a servant to his anointing, on a stem and foot, incorporating lion masks and pendant swags, unmarked

Ingrid Weber, Deutsche, Niederländische und Französische Renaissanceplaketten. Munich, 1975. pl. 77. ill. 281. cat. no. 282.  J. W. Frederiks, Dutch Silver, 1952, vol. I, pp.32 and 33

substantial erasures to the gilding at the rim of the tazza and two smaller ones on the underside of tazza and scratches on underside of foot, very nice colour, generally in excellent condition
"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."

An identical rendering of the anointing including the overlapping leaf rim, can be found on a lead plaquette ascribed to Hans Jamnitzer, (son of Wenzel) of circa 1580 (see Weber). The scene is rendered with minor differences in silver, part of a tazza dated 1596 and hallmarked in the town of Gouda, in the Dutch Republic (see Fredericks). Both representations have been influenced by a print of circa 1550, by Hieronymus Cock after Maarten van Heenskerck (British Museum ref. 1949.0709.65). The heavy weight of the tazza and shape of the foot, suggest a Spanish or Spanish Netherlands origin for the piece