Drinking Horn, so-called Griffin’s Claw
2nd half 15th c.
Pomp and Circumstance: Sumptuous Sideboards Court festivities have always served to demonstrate a host’s status and wealth to the admitted members of the public. In the 15th century, sideboards set with precious objects were a prominent feature of such occasions: gold, silver, and rock crystal vessels were placed next to griffin’s claws, so-called Natternzungenkredenzen (table decorations set with “adders’ tongues”) or burr-wood cups: all of them materials credited with magical powers to protect from poison.
Pomp and Circumstance: Sumptuous Sideboards Court festivities have always served to demonstrate a host’s status and wealth to the admitted members of the public. In the 15th century, sideboards set with precious objects were a prominent feature of such occasions: gold, silver, and rock crystal vessels were placed next to griffin’s claws, so-called Natternzungenkredenzen (table decorations set with “adders’ tongues”) or burr-wood cups: all of them materials credited with magical powers to protect from poison.
Time:
2nd half 15th c.
Object Name
Vessel; Drinking Horn
Culture
Northern German
Material/technology:
Horn, buffalo horn, silver, gilded bronze
Dimensions:
26 cm × 24,5 cm, 1248 g
Inscribed
help maria my dat hie deyn (oberes Band); help dat my (?) (unteres Band)
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Kunstkammer
Invs.
Kunstkammer, 80