Plaquettes 1500-1600: Germany

Plaquettes are small plaques made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440s with the desire to reproduce coins and hardstone engravings from ancient Greece and Rome. Some were made as collector's pieces, to be viewed and displayed in private, and others for practical purposes. They also inspired designs in other media, from architecture to bookbindings.

Here the art of plaquette making emerged in the south, in Nuremberg and Augsburg, about 1510-20. The plaquettes had the same multiple purpose as their Italian predecessors. They were used mainly by goldsmiths and in bronze foundries, but also by cabinetmakers. The models were carved in wood, stone, slate and wax, then reproduced in bronze and lead.

'Allegory of Vanitas', plaquette

'Allegory of Vanitas'
Plaquette
Lorenz Rosenbaum (died 1563)
Southern Germany,
About 1535-40
Lead
Museum no. 107-1867

At first glance this might appear to represent the Virgin and Child. However, the presence of the hourglass and skull show that it is a vanitas scene, a reminder of the transience of life.

'Prudence and Charity', medal

'Prudence and Charity'
Medal
Peter Flötner (about 1490-1546)
Germany (Nuremberg)
About 1540-6
Bronze
Museum no. 7152-1860

Peter Flötner, a goldsmith and designer, was one of the most versatile artists in 16th century Nuremberg. This relief belongs to a series of Virtues.

'Prudence and Charity', medal

'Prudence and Charity'
Medal
Peter Flötner (about 1490-1546)
Germany (Nuremberg)
About 1540-6
Bronze
Museum no. 7153-1860

Peter Flötner, a goldsmith and designer, was one of the most versatile artists in 16th-century Nuremberg. This relief belongs to a series of Virtues.

 

 

'Urania', Peter Flötner

'Urania'
Peter Flötner (about 1490-1546)
Germany (Nuremberg)
About 1540-6
Gilded bronze
Museum no. A.26-1954

Urania was one of the Muses, the goddesses of creative inspiration. She represented Astronomy. Her attributes are a compass, which she holds in her left hand and a globe on which she stands.

'The Creation of Eve and the Tree of Knowledge', relief

'The Creation of Eve and the Tree of Knowledge'
Relief
Germany (Saxony)
About 1540-60
Gilded bronze
Museum no. A.110-1929
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

From a series telling the story of Genesis, the first book in the Old Testament. The same model was used by goldsmiths for reliefs on tankards, caskets and cabinets.

'The Fall and the Expulsion from the Garden of Paradise', relief

'The Fall and the Expulsion from the Garden of Paradise'
Relief
Germany (Saxony)
About 1540-60
Gilded bronze
Museum no. A. 111-1929
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

From a series telling the story of Genesis, the first book in the Old Testament. The same model was used by goldsmiths for reliefs on tankards, caskets and cabinets.

 

 

'Rebecca and Eleazar at the Fountain', plaquette

'Rebecca and Eleazar at the Fountain'
Plaquette
Germany (Nuremberg)
About 1570-80
Bronze
Museum no. A.37-1927
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

Eleazar was a servant of the Old Testament patriarch Abraham. He was sent to find a wife for Abraham's son Isaac and eventually located Rebecca, drawing water from a well.

'The Adoration of the Magi', plaquette

'The Adoration of the Magi'
Plaquette (obverse view)
Anton Eisenhoit (1553/4-1603)
About 1587-8
Germany (Warburg)
Lead
Museum no. A.13, 14-1932
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

Anton Eisenhoit was born in Warburg in Westphalia but spent several years in Rome working as an engraver. He became one of the most prolific goldsmiths in northern Germany.

View the reverse of this relief

'Coriolanus Receiving the Roman Women', plaquette

'Coriolanus Receiving the Roman Women'
Plaquette
North Germany
About 1580
Lead
Museum no. 1646-1856

Coriolanus was a Roman general who was banished from Rome. He planned an assault on Rome but his wife, mother and children pleaded with him not to attack, which is the scene depicted here.

 

'The Blessings of Peace', relief

'The Blessings of Peace'
Relief
Germany (Nuremberg)
About 1580
Lead
Museum no. A.38-1936
Given by Mrs R. de l'Hopital

The relief depicts the victorious figure of Peace surrounded by abandoned armour and weaponry. Scenes in the background show the renewal of daily life.

 

'Samuel Anointing David', plaquette

'Samuel Anointing David'
Plaquette
Germany (Nuremberg)
About 1580
Lead
Museum no. A.36-1927
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

Samuel, prophet and spiritual leader of the Israelites, chose the shepherd boy David to become king of his people. He anointed David in the presence of Jesse, David's father, whose other sons had offered themselves as king but were rejected.

 

 

'Fire', plaquette

'Fire'
Plaquette
Caspar Enderlein (died 1633)
Germany (Nuremberg)
About 1610-20
Lead
Museum no. 986-1907

Enderlein was a gem-carver and specialist in pewter. Most of his work is based on pewter decoration by François Briot. He copied it in the soft Solnhofen stone and then made his own plaquettes from these stone models.