Ⓦ A VERY FINE NORTH GERMAN PIERCED AND EMBOSSED BRASS FACING PLAQUE FOR A PAIR OF BELLOWS, DECORATED WITH THE CROWNED DUCAL ARMS AND MOTTO OF JULIUS, DUKE OF BRUNSWICK AND LÜNEBURG IN WOLFENBÜTTEL, DATED 1588

of tongue-shaped outline, the outer border bearing the framed Ducal motto incorporated within the inscription '...IT HENRICOPOLI ALIIS INSERVIVIENDO CONSUMOR ANNO 1583 HI PRINCEPS IULIUS DUX BRUNSWIGENSIS ET LUNEBURCHGENSIS MEF...' the inner portion finely pierced and chiselled with the crowned, crested mantled Ducal arms and a pair of putti heads, and retaining a small portion of its fluted frame (the top with a small chip, one helm cracked, the bottom portion missing), with a finely constructed display stand

22.5cm; 8 7/8 in high

Part proceeds to benefit The Wallace Collection

Provenance

The Welfen Museum, Hanover, circa 1910, inv. no. W.M. IV. 49

The Royal House of Hanover, sold Sotheby's, Schloss Marienburg, 5th October 2005, lot 324.

Duke Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1528-1589) inherited the title following the death of his two older brothers in battle. He was a keen supporter of the Reformation and introduced it into the Duchy of Wolfenbüttel. In a letter of 1571 he described himself as a 'rough old Brunswick Saxon after the old German fashion'. However, he was a ruler of considerable practical ability and energy and a highly talented administrator. In this capacity he provided strong support to industries such as mining and metalworking and consequently brought considerable wealth into the Duchy. It is likely that this lot, and the following, were made as presentation pieces to the Duke, perhaps from one of the Brunswick guilds.