Folia archeologica 23.

S. Lovag Zsuzsa: Román kori bronztál a Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum ötvösgyűjteményében

ROMANESQUE BRONZE DISH IN THE HUNGARIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM Near the banks of Csepel Island a deep bronze dish (Figs. 1-2)

, showing an engraved ornamental design and traces of gilding, was scooped up from the bed of the Danube. As for its material, dimensions, technics and decoration it belongs to the type of the Romanesque bronze dishes known formerly as Hansa dishes. Our article deals with the so-called Hansa dishes divided into three groups, the first of which was developed in monastery workshops of the Rhineland, produced between the turn of the nth and 12 th century and the second half of the 12 th century. Regarding the message of their representations they can be considered as specula virtutis, made for didactic purpose. The second group is developed from the first one, their representations having been copied and at the same time simplified; they are decorated with allegorical figures of virtues and vices, their legends being inaccurate. Their production cannot be connected with a special centre as they were copied from their prototypes several times and made in the 12th, resp. in the first half of the 13th century. The dishes with ornamental decorations, forming the third group, to which our dish belongs as well, are connected with the first group and produced in the first half of the 12th century in Western Europe, presumably for commercial purpose. Regarding the practical use of these dishes, while mentioning the generally accepted view (basins), the author would not disregard the definition "eulogy dishes" either. This latter conception would give a more satisfactory reason for the rather widespread custom of placing the dishes in tombs.