Items Similar to Italian 18th C Bronze Locking Vessel With Latin Inscription, Possibly Maritime

18th Century Brass Mounted Mahogany Strong Box with Spring Lock Interior Tray

18th Century Italian Box

18th Century Italian Decor Cabinet

Box with Landscape, Possibly China 20th Century

Italian Rectangular Wooden Box with Metal Decorations and Inscription dated 1891

Important 18th Century Porcelain and Bronze Box by Meissen

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 9

Italian 18th C Bronze Locking Vessel With Latin Inscription, Possibly Maritime

About the Item

An Extremely Italian Rare Bronze Locking Vessel With Latin Inscription, Possibly with Maritime Associations. Italy circa 1780-1820 This very unusual bronze receptacle that it was designed to be fixed to a surface which we have now sat upon a stone plinth for display purposes. The sides are cast with acanthus swags and other floral decoration with swags of husks joining the two handles, themselves formed from laurel wreaths. The cover is simpler in deocration with an egg and dart moulding and a finely cast acorn finial. There is a Latin inscription in two parts on the body of the piece, the inscription reading Contra biformis fortunae eventus on one side and uniformi constantia integerrime militavit on the other side and also on the base. Depending on how the insciption is combined, the full text reads either "contra biformis fortunae eventus uniformi constantia integerrime militavit" or "uniformi constantia integerrime militavit contra biformis fortunae eventus" and the text is said to be related to the works of the 12th century French theologian Hildebert de Lavardin and the poet Mathieu de Vendome. It also relates closely to a quotation attributed to Pope Gregory I "Qui contra biformis fortunae insultus uniformi constantia mentis militat praemunitus, ut nec in adversis deiciatur nec in prosperis elevetur". Despite the very European decoration, the form of the piece bears distinct similarities to the upper sections of ancient bronze perfume burners made in China so they may have inspired the present design in some way. The precise purpose of this vessel when first made remains a mystery. It originally had two separate locks, one to each side, though one is now missing. It has been suggested that the vessel could have been used to store important keepsakes or even as a reliquary of some sort but equally there are suggestions that the piece has military or naval significance. One translation of the Latin inscription might be "With uniform constancy he fought with complete integrity against the two-fold events of fortune" which would be a worthy epitaph for a military hero and, according to a previous owner, the piece was used by commanders aboard a ship to store the names of sailors on active duty. The vessel would then be opened and the unlucky men whose names were called would be sent off to fight. Whether there is any truth to this or not, the piece certainly must have had a deep meaning to those who commissioned it. This is certainly not just a piece of decoration.

Dimensions:

Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)Width: 18.12 in (46 cm)Depth: 14.18 in (36 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Bronze

Place of Origin:

Italy

Period:

Late 18th Century

Date of Manufacture:

circa 1780-1820

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. The piece has a lovely patination with evidence of plenty of handling and use. It is a fascinating object and is sure to be a talking point in any interior.

Seller Location:

Benington, GB

Reference Number:

Seller: 30241stDibs: LU1183240057482

More From This Seller

View All

18th Century Georgian Paper Scrolled Quilled Satinwood Tea Caddy

Located in Benington, Herts

A wonderful 18th century George III quill work (scrollwork) tea caddy of hexagon form. English circa 1790 Finely executed, this very attractive caddy ...

Category

Antique 1790s British Georgian Tea Caddies

Materials

Satinwood

18th Century Georgian Paper Scrolled Quilled Satinwood Tea Caddy

$3,007

Micromosaic Gold Mounted Jasper Snuff Box Early 19th Century Italian Gioacchino

Located in Benington, Herts

An Exceptional and Highly Important Micromosaic Gold Mounted Jasper Snuff Box, most probably by Gioacchino Barberi with the box likely by Moulinié, ...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Italian Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold

Micromosaic Gold Mounted Jasper Snuff Box Early 19th Century Italian Gioacchino

$39,827

Late 17th Century Leather And Brass Travelling Box

Located in Benington, Herts

A very fine and interesting late 17th century English work box or travelling case English Circa 1680 Of conventional form with slightly domed lid, this piece has acquired a magnifi...

Category

Antique 1680s English Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Late 17th Century Leather And Brass Travelling Box

$3,007

Mid 18th Century Italian Rococo Armchair in Walnut With Extravagantly Carved

Located in Benington, Herts

Mid 18th Century Italian Rococo Armchair in Walnut with Extravagantly Carved Head Rail Italian Circa 1760 This beautiful armchair is executed in walnut and, in its basic form, is h...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

Mid 18th Century Italian Rococo Armchair in Walnut With Extravagantly Carved

$2,235

17th Century William and Mary Period Kingwood Strong Box / Coffre Fort on George

Located in Benington, Herts

An Exceptional 17th Century William and Mary Period Kingwood Strong Box or Coffre Fort of Excellent Colour and Patina on George I Period Walnut Stand England circa 1690 -1710 Thi...

Category

Antique Early 18th Century English William and Mary Decorative Boxes

Materials

Kingwood, Walnut

17th Century William and Mary Period Kingwood Strong Box / Coffre Fort on George

$20,726

Late 18th Century Italian Carved Giltwood Marble Top Console Table

Located in Benington, Herts

Very fine late 18th Century Italian gilt wood console table with marble top possibly from Florentine. Italian Possibly Florentine - Circa 1780 This exceptionally fine table, of rec...

Category

Antique 1780s Italian Console Tables

Materials

Marble

Late 18th Century Italian Carved Giltwood Marble Top Console Table

$14,224

Antique 18th Century English Georgian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

18th Century Brass Mounted Mahogany Strong Box with Spring Lock Interior Tray

$12,500

18th Century Italian Box

Located in Atlanta, GA

This stunning 18th-century Italian box is a fine example of Baroque artistry, embodying the period's characteristic grandeur and attention to detail. Crafted from rich walnut, the bo...

Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Baroque Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Italian Box

$795

18th Century Italian Decor Cabinet

Located in Dallas, TX

This exquisite Italian cabinet showcases a stunning combination of antique craftsmanship and later vintage refinement. The original late 18th century drawers are adorned with intrica...

Category

Antique 1780s Italian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Tortoise Shell, Wood, Walnut

18th Century Italian Decor Cabinet

$1,450

Box with Landscape, Possibly China 20th Century

Located in Madrid, ES

Box with landscape. red and black material. Possibly China, 20th century. Low cylindrical box with a flat lid that is red on the outside and black on the inside, decorated on the l...

Category

20th Century Asian Other Decorative Boxes

Materials

Other

Box with Landscape, Possibly China 20th Century

$251

Italian Rectangular Wooden Box with Metal Decorations and Inscription dated 1891

Located in Marbella, ES

Italian rectangular wooden box with metal decorations and inscription "Moschetto Italiano modello 1891".

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Italian Rectangular Wooden Box with Metal Decorations and Inscription dated 1891

$2,855

Important 18th Century Porcelain and Bronze Box by Meissen

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

Dimensions - H: 1 3/4in W: 3 1/2in D: 2in This Mid 18th Century Porcelain and Bronze Box by Meissen is truly a spectacular piece and is of the highest quality! If you look at the p...

Category