Tickets
English
DonateMembershipTickets

Bowl with The Virgin and the Unicorn and arms of Matthias Corvinus and Beatrice of Aragon

probably ca. 1486–88
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 604
This large bowl or dish belongs to a set made as a gift for the king and queen of Hungary; their royal arms appear at the top, interrupting the elaborate border. Concentric circles of ribbons, flowers, and geometric designs act as a framing device for the central scene, where the woman and unicorn probably symbolize chastity. Beautiful and functional, a dish like this one might have hung from a wall at times and been used at a table at others.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bowl with The Virgin and the Unicorn and arms of Matthias Corvinus and Beatrice of Aragon
  • Date: probably ca. 1486–88
  • Culture: Italian, Pesaro
  • Medium: Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware)
  • Dimensions: Overall (confirmed): 4 × 18 7/8 in. (10.2 × 47.9 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics-Pottery
  • Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1946
  • Object Number: 46.85.30
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Lobster-Tail Burgonet, Steel, leather, gold, North Italian
Lobster-Tail Burgonet
North Italian
ca. 1610
Bowl with the Arms of Pope Julius II and the Manzoli of Bologna surrounded by putti, cornucopiae, satyrs, dolphins, birds, etc., workshop of Giovanni Maria Vasaro, Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Castel Durante
Bowl with the Arms of Pope Julius II and the Manzoli of Bologna surrounded by putti, cornucopiae, satyrs, dolphins, birds, etc.
workshop of Giovanni Maria Vasaro
1508
Madonna and Child with Angels, Antonio Rossellino Italian, Marble with gilt details on halo and dress, Italian, Florence
Madonna and Child with Angels
Antonio Rossellino
ca. 1455–60
Sallet in the Shape of a Lion's Head, Steel, copper, gold, glass, pigment, textile, Italian
Sallet in the Shape of a Lion's Head
Italian
ca. 1475–80
Broth bowl and cover (scodella and tagliere) from an accouchement set; Aeneas leaving Troy with his father and son (inside bowl); Pyramis and Thisbe (on cover), Baldassare Manara Italian, Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware)
Broth bowl and cover (scodella and tagliere) from an accouchement set; Aeneas leaving Troy with his father and son (inside bowl); Pyramis and Thisbe (on cover)
Baldassare Manara
ca. 1530–40

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries and chronologies from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.