Labours of the Months
Two Handled Bowl
ca. 1650 (made)
ca. 1650 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Mother-of-pearl, jet coral and amber were selected by craftsmen for their beauty, durability and rarity. These materials often occurred in a particular geographical region. Coral for example was prevalent in Sicily and amber along the Baltic coast. Many of the religious items were portable, as were the small portraits. They were often made locally and then taken elsewhere. Pilgrims from all over Europe bought the jet images made in Santiago de Compostela.
Although here the iconography of the carvings is purely secular.
Although here the iconography of the carvings is purely secular.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Title | Labours of the Months (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Amber with silver gilt mount and later nickel-coated brass mount |
| Brief description | Two handled bowl, amber, depicting the labours of the months, Königsberg, ca. 1650 |
| Physical description | The twelve main panels of clear amber depict the labours of the months, represented by agricultural labourers in contemporary 17th century costume performing seasonal tasks, except for January who is represented by a gentleman with a lute, and August who appears as a vine-wreathed Bacchic figure. Inside the base is a circular pierced relief of white amber on a black painted foil, under clear amber, depicting quarter-length profiles of a man and woman gazing at each other, the man holding a goblet. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
| Object history | Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A. This bowl probably dates from the period of Jacob Heise's activity: its form is analogous to the bowl attributed to his circle, while the carving continues the tradition begun by Schreiber. |
| Historical context | This bowl was almost certainly intended for a Kunstkammer collection. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Mother-of-pearl, jet coral and amber were selected by craftsmen for their beauty, durability and rarity. These materials often occurred in a particular geographical region. Coral for example was prevalent in Sicily and amber along the Baltic coast. Many of the religious items were portable, as were the small portraits. They were often made locally and then taken elsewhere. Pilgrims from all over Europe bought the jet images made in Santiago de Compostela. Although here the iconography of the carvings is purely secular. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.9&:2-1950 |
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| Record created | January 22, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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