Lot 291
An Italian Maiolica plate "The Meeting of Tamar and Judah", Urbino, 2nd half of the 16th century
Works of Art, Antiquities & Ancient Art | A106kua | Live auction | 604 Lots
Description
Finely painted majolica plate with a depiction from the Old Testament. Tamar, disguised as a prostitute, sits at the foot of a tree in the center, near the city gates in the right half of the picture. Judah approaches her from the left, pointing with his hand to the lying dog, which is looking up at the seated woman, symbolising a sexual proposal. Thinking Tamar to be a prostitute, actually being the wife of his firstborn, Judah wants to sleep with her, whereupon she asks him for his ring and staff as a pledge. On the reverse the plate body rests on a short base ring, merging over a convex elevation into the wide rim, divided by yellow bands (small defect on the rim). The base inscribed in archaic Italian. Diameter 29 cm, height 4.5 cm.Condition: II Questions about the lot?
