Metropolitan Museum of Art

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


One of a group, this plate may have been used in elaborate dinners where it was a competition as to who could most accurately fill in the dramatic narrative. “One doesn't tend to think of silver plates as being quite as emotionally involving,” says curator Helen Evans. http://met.org/12ABwgD

View a slideshow of a group of Byzantine plates depicting biblical figures including David: http://met.org/10Gvr06

Plate with the Battle of David and Goliath | 629–630 | Byzantine