Nevers - Lot 236

Nevers Hollow round bowl with full polychrome decoration of the metamorphosis of the Heliades into poplars around the cenotaph of Phaëton, after the xylogravure by Virgil Solis. One of them is being held by her mother. In the distance, the Po with duck. Yellow and black border. Yellow fillet on reverse. 16th century Diameter 24.7cm Height 4.2cm Cf Métamorphoses d'Ovide, Livre II, 1563, fig. P23 (Bibliothèque nationale de France, ISNI 0000 0001 2122 4677) in which this metamorphosis is described. The death of Phaëton, who loses control of the Sun's chariot and is struck by lightning by Jupiter, lest he disrupt the order of the cosmos, brings great grief to his sisters, the Heliads. Taken in pity by the gods, they are transformed into poplars, while their tears become drops of amber.