Renaissance Bronze Saint Jerome Plaque Fragment

Squat in profile with stepped and carinated foot, deep shoulder to the bowl; engraved to the outer face in batada script between double horizontal rulings the legend 'Luxuriosa res vinum et tumultuosa ebrietas', a quotation from the biblical book of Proverbs, 20:1, translating to 'Wine is [a] luxurious [thing], and drunkenness is riotous'. 575 grams, 11.2 cm wide



Acquired in Paris, France, circa 2000. Personal collection of a Suffolk lady, UK.

The biblical sentence was retaken by Saint Paul, who, wanting to warn the believers against the power of wine, similarly instructed by saying: ‘Beware of drunken wine, where there is luxury’. This kind of gluttony was considered by the Fathers of the Church dangerous, in that, after it has deprived the drinker of all rational sense, it opens and reveals and releases from his chest every secret, every hidden thing: it was considered a prodigal throwaway of its own goods and those of others, deaf to rebukes, and a destroyer of every praiseworthy custom.

A ring dial with two bands open to one side at the centre; the outer surface engraved with measurement points and letters along the open mid section; to the inside, a series of incised lines and numbers for the hours of the day. 15.2 grams, 46 mm



From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

Brown oval cameo depicting a profile bust of a veiled young woman with large eyes and a small button nose, set in a ring with a closed-back setting. 10.26 grams, 24.74 mm overall, 18.91 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)



Acquired on the European art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13399-257955.