Design for a Knife Handle with 'Sine Cerere et Baccho Friget Venus' 1580 - 1600

This engraving by Johann Theodor de Bry, dating from 1580-1600, is a design for a knife handle. It features a complex, symmetrical design with an elaborate top, two framed scenes, and a decorative base. The top features a bird and seahorses with a crown, perhaps representing a royal coat of arms. The scenes depict mythological figures, the first illustrating the Latin phrase "Sine Cerere et Baccho Friget Venus" which translates to "Without Ceres and Bacchus, Venus grows cold." The design reflects the artistic trends of the period and would have appealed to an elite audience interested in classical imagery and intricate craftsmanship.