Bronze stand pierced and engraved with dragons and mens' heads, with three round feet, German, late 16th century

Pot stand in the form of a circular ring, with three inverted dome feet (one repaired), the legs with circular knops half way up, the ring with pierced decoration of dragons and masks in profile. The legs are rivetted to the ring, the underside of which has incised lettering: A.I.E.

Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh

The history of this stand prior to its arrival in the Museum is not known. It was given to the Museum by Dr Walter Leo Hildburgh in 1953 converting into a gift an object already on loan.

Hildburgh was one of the V&A's most dedicated and generous patrons. Born in New York in 1876, he trained as a scientist. Initially he collected ethnography but after 1914 he turned to the decorative arts. Encouraged by successive Keepers of Metalwork, he accumulated huge collections of Spanish and German metalwork. From 1924 when he first offered objects to the Museum on loan, to 1956 when he bequeathed his huge collection, Hildburgh was part of the Museum landscape. He regularly gave the Museum presents at Christmas and on his birthday. His will set up a fund for future purchases, administered in the spirit of his earlier acquisitions. RP: 53/2307, Ex Hildburgh Loan: 291

Pot stands were common household items. Kitchens in moderately wealthy town houses contained a variety of utensils such as trivets, basins, pans, skewers, ladles and mortars. Stands such as this supported pots and pans over the fire. The short legs and stepped domed feet suggest this stand fitted onto a further supporting mechanism allowing it to be detached and transferred to the table if necessary.

Although primarily functional items, pot stands were often highly decorated. The pierced ornamentation of dragons' heads and men's faces in profile incorporated into this example evolved from the a medieval tradition of casting representations of fabulous creatures in brass. The dragons, as breathers of fire, also have symbolic meaning for an item used in cooking.

Pot stands were common household items. Kitchens in moderately wealthy town houses contained a variety of utensils such as trivets, basins, pans, skewers, ladles and mortars. Stands such as this supported pots and pans over the fire. The short legs and stepped domed feet suggest this stand fitted onto a further supporting mechanism allowing it to be detached and transferred to the table if necessary.

Although primarily functional items, pot stand were often highly decorated. The pierced ornamentation of dragons' heads and men's faces in profile incorporated into this pot stand evolve from the a medieval tradition of casting representations of fabulous creatures in brass. The dragons, as breathers of fire, also have symbolic meaning for an item used in cooking.

M.85-1953