Armorial Tondo with the Arms of Squarci Lupi 15th - 16th century

Editor: This piece is entitled "Armorial Tondo with the Arms of Squarci Lupi" and was made in the 15th or 16th century, crafted from terracotta. I’m struck by its vibrant, almost celebratory feel. It seems packed with meaning. What can you tell me about its iconography? Curator: Indeed, the "Armorial Tondo" speaks volumes through its symbolic language. The tondo itself, the circular form, has connotations of wholeness and eternity, a very Renaissance idea. But let’s look closer: what animals do you see represented? Editor: Well, there's the clear depiction of a wolf-like animal on the shield, and it looks heraldic. It also reminds me of emblems. Curator: Precisely! The wolf is the 'lupo' in Squarci Lupi – literally, 'tearing wolves.' It’s a visual pun on the family name, common in heraldry. Heraldry served as identity, lineage, power all rolled into a symbolic package. Notice, too, the lush wreath—fruits, flowers. What might that signify to you? Editor: Abundance and prosperity, maybe? Some kind of offering? Curator: Good, exactly. The Renaissance saw a renewed interest in classical antiquity where wreaths symbolized victory, honor. Here, combined with fruits –fertility – it elevates the family name, promising continued success and legacy. Does knowing all this, how does this shift your initial reading of the work? Editor: Definitely. Before, it felt like just a pretty decoration. Now, it's a bold statement, carefully constructed to broadcast a family's identity and ambitions. Curator: A lasting image carefully thought-out for its psychological effects. What once appeared decorative is revealed as a complex interplay of meaning, memory, and cultural pride. I learned to not judge something so easily by just appearances.