This cantle plate is etched (formerly gilt) with five emblematic scenes in rondels, each of which is surrounded by a motto in Spanish. The emblems and mottoes are taken from Los emblemas de Alciato traduciados in rhimas espanolas (Lyon, 1549), the first Spanish edition of the widely influential emblem books of Andrea Alciato (1492–1550), a renowned Milanese humanist. The Museum's cantle plate was probably made shortly after 1550, possibly for a Spanish nobleman serving in Italy.
