A Pesaro maiolica istoriato tazza, circa 1540

Decorated with a mythological scene of Sinon being taken as a captive in front of the Trojans amidst ruins, the rim edged in yellow, the reverse inscribed in black 'Sinone quando fu presentato bal..(?) troiano', 26.7cm diam. (restored section to rim)

Sinon was a Greek warrior during the Trojan war, who pretended to have deserted the Greek army and was taken captive by the Trojans. He then proceeded to convince them that the Greeks had left, leaving a large wooden horse behind as an offering to the gods. His story ended up convincing the Trojans to bring the horse into their city, enabling the Greek soldiers hidden inside to open the gates to the city, thereby sealing Troy's fate.