Nuremberg Brass Alms Dish Value Guide

This Nuremberg Brass Alms Dish is a quintessential example of 16th-century German metalwork, highly prized for its intricate repoussé central scene depicting the Spies from Canaan. Originally crafted for ecclesiastical use to collect offerings, these durable Renaissance vessels transitioned into prestigious domestic wall hangings and heirlooms across Europe.

What Is Nuremberg Brass Alms Dish Worth?

The typical price range for Nuremberg Brass Alms Dish is $850 - $935 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The clarity and detail of the central biblical scene, particularly the definition of the figures and the grape cluster.
• Overall physical condition, including the presence of original patina and the absence of significant cracks or over-polishing.
• The presence of identifiable maker's marks or specific regional stamps associated with Nuremberg workshops.
• Historical provenance and the preservation of the dish's structural integrity over its 400-500 year lifespan.

How to Identify Nuremberg Brass Alms Dish?

• Look for the specific central repoussé motif of two figures carrying a large cluster of grapes on a pole, representing the Spies from Canaan.
• Examine the rim for characteristic punched or stamped decorative borders typical of 15th and 16th-century Nuremberg craftsmanship.
• Check for a deep circular well and a wide, flat rim, which are structural hallmarks of authentic alms dishes from this era.
• Identify signs of hand-hammering and age-appropriate wear on the brass surface, rather than modern uniform casting.

History of Nuremberg Brass Alms Dish

These dishes were produced in Nuremberg during the 15th and 16th centuries. Originally used in churches to collect offerings, they often featured biblical scenes like the Spies of Canaan or Adam and Eve. Their durability and decorative appeal led them to become popular domestic wall hangings and heirloom items across Europe during the Renaissance.