Roundel with Ben-Hadid and the Siege of Samaria
Unknown Artist
ca. 1525
Medium
Colorless glass, vitreous paint and silver stain
Dimensions
Overall Diam.: 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm)
Classification
Glass-Stained
Culture
South Netherlandish
Department
The Cloisters
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cloisters Collection, 1932
Accession Number
32.24.30
Tags
Art Historical Context
This roundel, created around 1525 in South Netherlandish workshops, captures a dramatic moment from the Old Testament story of Ben-Hadad’s siege of Samaria. The scene includes soldiers, tents, cannons, and figures gathered around tables, reflecting the military and domestic details that would have resonated with 16th-century viewers familiar with both biblical narratives and contemporary warfare. Crafted from colorless glass painted with vitreous enamels and highlighted with silver stain, the roundel demonstrates the refined techniques popular in the Low Countries during the Northern Renaissa...