Dish with the Calumny of Apelles and the arms of the Ridolfi family c. 1520 - 1525

Nicola da Urbino's "Dish with the Calumny of Apelles and the arms of the Ridolfi family" (c. 1520-1525) is a stunning example of Italian maiolica, a type of tin-glazed pottery. The dish depicts the famous story of Apelles, a Greek painter falsely accused of adultery. The central scene portrays Apelles being unjustly accused by a group of figures, while a noble figure on the right listens to their false testimony. The dish's intricate border features a blue and gold foliate design with the Ridolfi family crest. Nicola da Urbino's mastery of detail and the vibrant colors of the painted decoration make this dish a true work of art.