The Silver Caesars

The technical virtuosity of Renaissance silversmiths is displayed in the magnificent set of 12 silver-gilt standing cups from the 16th century known collectively as the Aldobrandini Tazze. Each of the Tazze stands over a foot tall and features a shallow footed dish surmounted by a figure of one of the first 12 Caesars. Although the Tazze are among the finest examples of 16th century European silverwork, little is known about their creation. The complete set has not been seen together since the mid-19th century, when it was disassembled and dispersed. In addition, the elements of all 12 Tazze will be displayed in their original configuration—a unique opportunity for modern viewers to appreciate one of the most enigmatic monuments of the work of 16th century goldsmiths. Find out more about the ‘Silver Caesars’ exhibition from the Met’s website.

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The Vespasian figure from the Aldobrandini Tazze, ca. 1587–99, Courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Detail from the Otho tazza from the Aldobrandini Tazze, ca. 1587–99, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto

Titus’s Roman triumph (detail from the Titus dish from the Aldobrandini Tazze), ca. 1587–99, Netherlandish? Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon.

The Caligula dish from the Aldobrandini Tazze, ca. 1587–99, Casa-Museu Medeiros e Almeida, Lisbon

Galba figure and Caligula dish from the Aldobrandini Tazze, ca. 1587–99, Casa-Museu Medeiros e Almeida, Lisbon