A glazed terracotta roundel, modelled with the head of an allegorical female with braided hair dressed with a laurel wreath and wearing eagle earrings, a fur trimmed cloak joined by a knotted braid, and section of armour. In white and ochre glazes. Mounted on an iron ring. This is one of the glazed terracotta roundels made by Giovanni da Maiano, probably for the decoration of one of Henry VIII's palaces. Giovanni da Maiano arrived in England in circa 1521 as part of a group of Italian artists working at the court of Henry VIII and was employed by Cardinal Wolsey to make the roundels of Roman Caesars at Hampton Court. It was this first generation of Italian artists working in the court of Henry VIII that introduced the Renaissance style in England.