Maiolica Collection

Dish with Coriolanus before Rome

Urbino, c. 1540

27.9cm (diameter)

tin-glazed earthenware (maiolica)

The story of Coriolanus was well-known to the Renaissance from Livy Book II, chapter 40. Coriolanus, an exiled Roman noble, led a Volscian army against Rome, but was persuaded by his mother, wife, and children to abandon the siege.

The painting has some points of resemblance to the work of the painter signing Lu.Ur (cf WA1888.CDEF.C449), but the pattern on the reverse is highly unusual.

Lent from the Barlow Collection.  LI206.3