Attributed to Colin Nouailher French, Limoges, circa 1530-1550

the banderole inscribed: DEVORA VERBVM DNI MANET IN ETERNUM (Swallow the word of god endures forever); with a fragmentary label numbered: 318. on the underside

Overall the condition of the enamel is good with wear and some minor dirt to the surface consistent with age with some wear to the gilding. There are some scratches on the surface, including around the rock in the grass and to the prophet's proper right leg. There are some chips and wear to the enamel around the upper and lower edge of the tazza. There is an area of restoration to the edge of the bowl at the feet of the prophet around which there is some crizzling and one to the edge of the base on the underside of the scene. There is an area of irregularities and stable hairline fissures on both sides of the bowl where the foot attaches.
"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."

Verbum Domini manet in aeternum or "The word of God endures forever" was the defiant motto of the Lutheran Reformation taken from the Prophet Isaiah (Isa 40:8) and Saint Peter (Peter 1:25). It is not normally preceded by the verb devora, meaning devour, swallow or enjoy, which may have been added to mock the reformers. Limoges enamelers are generally regarded as staunch Catholics.

Prophets in similar elaborate clothes feature often in earlier Limoges enamels, including in the Orléans and Baltimore triptychs (see Verdier, op.cit., no. 17) and a set of twenty-one plaques with standing apostles, sibyls, and prophets by Leonard Limousin in the Walters Art Gallery (inv. no. 44.366). The colour scheme, moody expressions of the angel and the prophet, and the opulent gilt details point towards the workshop of Colin Nouailher. On the pair of salts representing the Ages of Love in the Wallace collection, monogrammed N and attributed to Nouailher by Higgott, the gilt foliage is executed in a remarkably similar way and the pilasters on the corners of the salts are identical to those on the underside of the bowl of the present tazza.

RELATED LITERATURE
P. Verdier, Catalogue of the painted enamels of the Renaissance, cat. Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, 1967, pp. 26-29 and 160-169, nos. 17 and 83-103; S. Higgott, Catalogue of glass and Limoges painted enamels, cat. The Wallace Collection, London, 2011, pp. 210-219, nos. 64a and b; O. Bayer, "A public mystery, Lutheran Quarterly XXVI, 2012, pp. 126-127