Attributed to Jean de Court (fl. 1550–1583), Jacob’s vision of Heaven, c. 1560, Limoges Enamel Tazza, Copper, enamel, gold, 25.2 cm wide, 10.3 cm high, 25.2 cm, The British Museum, London, The Waddesdon (Rothschild) Bequest, Room 3
Crafted from copper and decorated with painted enamel and gilding, the piece demonstrates the mastery of Limoges artisans in the 16th century, who were renowned for their ability to create durable, vibrant surfaces. The grisaille technique—a monochromatic palette of grey tones accented with subtle salmon pink for flesh—gives the composition a sculptural depth. The enlevage method, involving the scraping away layers of enamel to reveal contrasting colours beneath, adds intricate detailing. Gilded highlights further enhance the brilliance of the design, making this tazza both visually striking and technically advanced.
The interior of the tazza is adorned with a biblical scene depicting Jacob’s Ladder, drawn from the Book of Genesis. The central image shows Jacob asleep beneath a tree, dreaming of a ladder from earth to heaven. Angels ascend and descend the ladder. This iconography symbolises the connection between humanity and the divine, a theme central to the Renaissance worldview. The ladder represents the bridge between earthly existence and spiritual enlightenment, with the ascending and descending angels serving as metaphors for prayers rising to heaven and divine blessings returning to earth.