An Italian Gilt Metal Plaquette of the Entombment After Guglielmo della Porta (circa 1500-1577), 17th Century, Venice

Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea lowering the body of Christ into a sarcophagus as the mourning Madonna, Three Marys, and Saint John look on, before a backdrop of overgrown classical arches, the hill at Calvary visible in the distance.

Standard rubbing and surface abrasions. Approximately 2 inch crack below shoulder of far left figure. Several small nailholes on edges for attachment. Keyhole later.
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RELATED LITERATURE

U. Middeldorf, The Imbert Collection, Book reviews, Art Bulletin, vol. XXX, No. 2, 1948

J. Fischer, Sculpture in Miniature, The Andrew S. Ciechanowiecki Collection of Gilt & Gold Medals and Plaquettes, The J.B. Speed Art Museum, Louisville, Kentucky, 1969, no. 437

W. Wixom, Renaissance Bronzes from Ohio Collections, (exh. cat.), The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1975, no. 158

Fischer and Wixom note that this design is known primarily in two sizes; the present version appears to be a third, larger size with the composition extended vertically and with three crosses visible in the distance.