Dish with Scene of Atilius Regulus Battling the African Serpent
Decorator
Ignaz Preissler
(German, 1676 - 1741)
Dateca. 1725
MediumChinese porcelain with enamel
DimensionsOverall: 11 inches (27.94 cm)
Credit LinePurchase: acquired through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Earl D. Wilberg
Object numberF85-5
On View
Not on viewCollections
DescriptionIn the left foreground, the scene depicts a man sitting astride a rearing horse; in the right foregound, another armored man, representing Attila Regulus holding a spear and also astride a horse aiming his bow and arrow; and in the center foreground, a third armored man running and about to draw his sword. The focus of the battle is a snakelike serpent in the throes of death. background, legions of soldiers on foot and on horseback attack the creature as well.Gallery LabelAlthough Europe discovered how to produce porcelain in 1709, Asian wares (such as this example) remained relatively less expensive and continued to be imported. The Dish with Scene of Atilius Regulus arrived from China undecorated and was then enameled in Germany by Ignaz Preissler. The dish shows the Roman Consul Attilius Regulus (3rd century BCE) battling a giant serpent, a representation of the African Carthaginians, Rome's great enemy.
Information about a particular artwork or image, including provenance information,
is based upon historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete.
Research on artwork and images is an ongoing process, and the information about a
particular artwork or image may not reflect the most current information available to the Museum.
If you notice a mistake or have additional information about a particular artwork or image,
please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.
Unknown
ca. 1840
76-38/3 A,B
