Nef on wheels, silver, parcel-gilt, German, Nuremberg, Esaias zur Linden (1609-32), before 1628

Nef on wheels, silver, parcel-gilt, with cast and applied silver figures.

The flag at the ship's stern has the embossed figure of Diana, holding a crescent moon) on both sides. The flag at the top of the mast depicts on both sides a man mounted on horseback dressed in Classical armour.
The cast silver figures on the fore and aft decks are carrying and pointing spears and guns. Two figures climb the rigging.
One side of the ship is embossed with an image of a figure, perhaps Venus, riding a dolphin; the other side shows a figure, possibly Cupid, riding a fish-tailed griffin.
A spout in the form of a dragon protrudes from the prow of the ship; there is a heart-shaped aperture where the spout joins the ship itself.

Dr W.L. Hildburgh Bequest

Formerly in the Baron Carl von and Baroness James de Rothschild Collection.

Esaias zur Linden seems to have specialised almost exclusively in the production of small ships which served as table and buffet decoration. Ship-shaped drinking vessels are used in princely households as early as the 14th century with first written records in France. In Nuremberg the tradition is known from the early 16th century onwards.

The wheels of this nef might indicate that it was rolled from guest to guest at the high table. The spout at the bow suggests it could also be used as a ewer.

M.425-1956