Lot 1012: Francois Briot, French c.1545-c.1620, An Important

Francois Briot, French c.1545-c.1620, An Important Pewter Charger, c.1585-1600, the central roundel depicting Mars, the god of war, seated with burning city behind, surrounded by richly decorated relief with four allegories of Bellum, Invidia, Pax and Abundatia (war, hunger, peace and abundance) in oval cartouches, the outer rim depicting the four continents alternating with famous generals from Antiquity, Caesar, Ninus, Cyrus and Alexander Magnus, embellished with floral garlands and ribbons, dia. 48.8cm Note: this charger is a fine example of Edelzinn, literally 'noble or precious pewter' which was produced in France and Germany during the late sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, exclusively for display. Unlike silver, the relief ornament on pewter is always cast, as such designs could be produced in multiples, few known copies have survived but an example of this charger is held in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. The charger was most likely commissioned by one of Briot's patrons, Fredrich I Duke of Wurttemberg (1557-1608), Count of Montbeliard (1581-93). The allegories are thought to be related to engravings by the French goldsmith Etienne Delaune (1519-1583). With Mars, god of war, as the central figure, one is drawn in to consider the narrative of the allegorical figures together with the generals of Antiquity representing the world as part of a wheel of fortune revolving around war. The charger is dated c.1585-1600; it could date as early as 1593 when Briot moved to Stuttgart however it is considered to be before 1601 as this was when Briot's moulds were seized four unpaid dates, with Fredrich I being named in the case as one of Briot's creditors. A closely related work to this is the 'Temperantia' charger found in the V&A collection. This design was used by Elkington & Co. in the 19th century to model the Wimbledon Ladies Singles Title Trophy on.