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Basin

Copper, with tin plating in imitation of silver

Origin: North or central Italy

Date: Mid 16th century

48.5 cm diameter

Bequeathed by C.D.E. Fortnum, 1899; WA1899.CDEF.B1142

T. Schroder (2009), no. 591

Tinned copper vessels were made as inexpensive substitutes for display silver. The process was very cheap and was done by dipping the finished copper vessel into molten tin. This basin conforms to standard Renaissance design. The raised circle in the centre of the dish is intended as a standing position for an accompanying ewer.

Information derived from T. Schroder, British and Continental Gold and Silver in the Ashmolean (2009)