Tazza, with representation of the legend of King Canute and the waves.
Published / Created:
England, circa [1850?]
Physical Description:
1 tazza : cast copper ; diameter 29 cm, height 11 cm
Holdings:
Rare Books and Manuscripts Octavo Rm Range 1Yale Center for British Art, Gift of Stephen Parks, Yale BA 1961
Copyright Status:
Copyright Not Evaluated
Classification:
Three-Dimensional Artifacts
Notes:
The tazza would have been given as a prize at the yearly drawing of the Art Union of London.The depiction of Canute is signed: C. Wo[?]al[?].Inscribed "Art Union of London" on underside of the stand.The central ring of the tazza appears to depict the legend of King Canute (or Cnut) and the waves, in which the King "attempted to turn back the waves and then used his failure to demonstrate to his courtiers the weakness of his power compared with that of God" (see Oxford Dictionary of National Biography). In the outer ring, vine work is woven around three dragons and three cherubs.
Subject Terms:
Canute I, King of England, 995?-1035 -- Legends. | Art Union of London. | Dragons in art. | Cherubs (Art)