Western Europe, Belgium, France, or Germany, ca. 16th to 17th century CE. A large and beautiful brass alms plate from a Christian church. The raised central area is like a flower with petals radiating from the circular center. Surrounding the petals is a ring of gothic script, which is too faint to discern; usually the lettering was meaningless and simply a design element. The flange of the rim is broad with a rolled lip and a stamped edge, a flared design like a fleur-de-lis or tree. A hook has been added to verso for displaying this offering plate, perfect for reminding you about that 10% tithe. Size: 18.25" L x 1.6" W (46.4 cm x 4.1 cm)

In the early 16th century, brass alms dishes had become very wide in diameter, providing ample room for designs. Abstract central motifs like this one were often surrounded by lettering. Many of these plates were produced in Nuremberg, with others produced in Flanders, Bouvignes, and Aachen, but they all shared techniques, making them difficult to assign to a single area of manufacture. When Charles the Bold took the city of Divant in Flanders in 1466, metalworkers fled from there to neighboring areas, spreading this technology and artistic style. These dishes were not just used for alms - or even, depending on location, primarily used for alms. Exported to the British Isles, they found their way to churches as alms plates, but on continental Europe, paintings often show them used as basins for washing hands after a meal. Prior to forks being commonly used in the 17th century, this was a necessary part of the table.

Display stand shown in photos is for photography purposes only.

Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s

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#137909

Indentations and slight bending of form. Tearing to lip and loss to brass surface. Russet patina and oxidation. Staining and discoloration to surfaces. Gothic script is worn and too faint to discern. Newer metal ring hook welded to verso. Old inventory label and written label directly on surface.