An Urbino maiolica and giltwood roundel the maiolica 16th century, the giltwood mounts and frame probably early 19th century

formed from  the centre of an Urbino dish, circa 1570, encircled by the broad border of an Urbino or Casteldurante basin, circa 1540, separated by a narrow giltwood border, the central panel painted after Taddeo Zuccaro with Julius Caesar's feast for the people of Rome, the border decorated en grisaille, perhaps also after Zuccaro or after Battista Franco, with satyrs, nymphs and putti among armour and masked panels, the reverse of the panel with grotesques encircling a banner inscribed al. popvlo. roman. largo convito, within a carved giltwood frame (both ceramics cut down, the dish and a section of the border restored, hair crack)

Debruge-Dumenil Collection, sale Paris, 8th March 1850, lots 1147 and 1154 (the two pieces removed from this giltwood frame and sold separately)

Baron Achille Seilliere Collection, sale Paris, 5th May 1890, lot 44

At Christie's, 26th June 1978, lot 176

Pesaro, Collection Altomani Ciaroni, in 1993

Per Taddeo e Federico Zuccari nelle Marche, 1993, Catalogue no.43

For a discussion of this piece, then thought have been lost since the Baron Seilliere sale, in the context of a comparison with an Urbino dish in the Louvre with a version of the same subject, see J.Giacometti, Les Majoliques des Musees Nationaux, no.1027

The central dish with border cut away, and broken in approximately fifteen pieces and restored, with minor losses. The border cut from a deep basin, and with a triangular area of restorationat 3o'clock and a hair crack at 5 o'clock
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The central panel of this magnificent roundel may be from the service prepared for Guidobaldo II as a gift for Charles V of Spain, painted with scenes from the life of Caesar within a border of grotesques similar to those on the reverse of the present dish. Certainly, it is a much more faithful rendering of Zuccaro's original design than the dish in the \Louvre (itself similarly cut down) Another piece probably from this service was sold at Christie's, 2nd July 1990, lot 235