Dish
c. 1500
Medium
Silver gilt with champlevé enamel
Dimensions
Diam.: 30.5 cm (12 in.)
Classification
silver
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
88439
Art Historical Context
This elegant silver gilt dish, dating to around 1500, exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of late medieval and early Renaissance Europe. Measuring 12 inches in diameter, it hails from the Applied Arts of Europe collection at the Art Institute of. Crafted by an unknown artisan—likely from a skilled workshop—the piece served as a luxurious serving vessel, showcasing the era's fascination with opulent tableware among the nobility and emerging merchant class. The dish's medium, silver gilt combined with champlevé enamel, highlights advanced metalworking techniques. Silver gilt involved applyi...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...