1957.207: Salt Cellar with Hercules Motifs

Identification and Creation

Object Number

1957.207

People

Unidentified Artist

Title

Salt Cellar with Hercules Motifs

Classification

Vessels

Work Type

vessel

Date

c. 1550

Places

Creation Place: Europe, France, Limoges

Culture

French

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/228447

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Enamel on metal

Dimensions

6.67 x 8.6 x 7.6 cm (2 5/8 x 3 3/8 x 3 in.)

Inscriptions and Marks

• inscription: top: LA BELLE DIANIRA VIS
• inscription: side: LA BELLE DIANIRA VIS HERCVLES / ERCHILE SEC
• inscription: side: HERCULES / CERBERE LID
• inscription: side: HERCVLES V / INCIT CACVS
• inscription: side: HERCVLES / SVIS APELES
• inscription: side: LA NATIVITE / DI HERCVLES
• inscription: bottom: IE SUIS EV RYSTHÉE
• inscription: side: HERCVLES / VINCIT LEON

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History

Mrs. Jessie Isidor Straus, gift; to Fogg Art Museum, 1957

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of Mrs. Jesse Isidor Straus in memory of her husband, Jesse Isidor Straus, Class of 1893

Accession Year

1957

Object Number

1957.207

Division

European and American Art

Contact

am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Descriptions

Description

Hexagonal salt cellar with a profile portrait of "LA BELLE DIANIRA" on top and "IE SUIS EV RYSTHÉE" on the bottom. Each side is painted with scenes from the life and labours of Hercules: "HERC VINCIT LEON"; HERCULES ERCHLESEC (scene with bull); CERBERE LID... (Hydra); HERCULES VINCIT CACUS; HERCULES SVIS APELES; LA NATIVITE DE HERCULES"

Verification Level