Plateau
- Gallery: Room 2a
- Culture: Paris
- Made in: Paris (France) (?)
- Date: 1850-1872
- Object type: plateau
- Materials: silver
- Museum number: WB.99
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
Listen to the free audio guide
About this object
Before you is a circular silver-gilt plateau mounted on a foot. Created in Paris during the mid-1800s, it combines embossing, chasing, engraving, and gilding to create intricate high-relief scenes. At the center is a dramatic equestrian battle. The rim features six scenes from the biblical story of Samson and Delilah, each divided by small winged figures. Each detail—from the armor to the flowing garments—demonstrates remarkable craftsmanship. This piece was once part of the prestigious Waddesdon Bequest, bequeathed by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild. While its exact workshop is unknown, its Parisian origin has been reconsidered in light of new research. Take a moment to admire the layered scenes and the energy of the chasing—all preserved in shimmering silver.
See it in person
Plateau is on display in Room 2a at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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