Battle of the Sea Centaurs and Nymphs (Design for a shield)

A design for a shield for Giovanni Vitello on the verso of RCIN 721066.a, showing the battle of the Lapithes and Tritons. Lapithes and Centaurus were the twin sons of Apollo and the nymph Stilbe.

At the centre, another circular device, 10.3 cm in diameter, contains a crab on whose carapace is engraved the Vitelli coat of arms, between the crab's back legs, the engraved inscription: ‘Philippus Thomassinus Di’. Around the inner circle is engraved: ‘ILLVSTRISSIMO D·IOANNI VITELLIO PATRONO VIRT· AMAT’ Around the outer circle of the crab: BERNARDINVS PASSARVS INVEN · PHIL · THOMASSINVS FEC · ET EXCVD · CVM PRIVIL · SVMMI PONTIFICIS ET SVPERIOR LICENTIA · ROMAE · The central design is surrounded by a circle of mythical men with the front legs of a centaur and the rear body of a serpent, fighting with cudgels over women. The design of the outer circle comprises vases, putti, mermen, and mythical beasts with the rear body of a serpent.

According to Bruwaert (1915), Thomassin’s first works were dated to 1585, when he was 23 years old. Entry number 415 is for a ‘Bouclier des Lapithes, diamètre 280, d’après Bern. Passaro, Phil Thomassinus fec. et exc., dédié à Jean Vitelli par Thomassin.’ The date is given as 1620, when Thomassin was 58 and the entry is marked with an asterisk which signifies ‘une belle œuvre’. The diameter of this piece as given by Bruwaert is smaller than the design on the verso of 721066.a but the description tallies with RCIN 721066.a in other respects. If this design is not the same as Bruwaert no.415, then it is still possible that it was made in or around 1620.

Bruwaert notes (p.68) that in the period after 1617, ‘A Cassian dal Pozzo, secrétaire du cardinal Barberin, Philippe offre une Galathée fort légèrement vêtue. Un Triomphe du Printemps, dans la même note, peut être de la composition même de Thomassin. Un Combat de Lapithes, en form de bouclier, doit dater de ce temps.’ The ‘bouclier’ undoubtedly refers to the design on the verso of RCIN 721066.a.