Ewer with Melchizedek and Abraham

Description This ewer, or pitcher, is decorated with scenes that encircle it in bands. Depicted on the largest band is the story from Genesis in which Melchizedek, the king of Salem, presents bread and wine to Abraham. Lot and the king of Sodom are also present, standing behind Abraham. The composition is taken from Bible woodcut illustrations by Bernard Salomon published in 1553. The band above, with cavorting, fanciful animals turning into musical instruments, is unrelated but equally effective at drawing the eye around the ewer.

Exhibitions

• Unknown Exhibition Title, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1914. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. 1914.

Provenance J. Pierpont Morgan, New York, no. 819; Arnold Seligmann, Rey & Co., New York [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1919, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, 1919