Lidded Cup with Ostrich Egg

This display piece shows an ostrich on a coral base, carrying on its back its own, enormous egg. The African who leads it on a chain emphasizes the exotic origin of the natural object, which enjoyed high regard as a curative, between medicine and magic. The horseshoe in the bird’s beak refers to the ostrich’s purported ability to digest even iron.

Location: Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Kunstkammer Wien Raum XXV

Object data

Object Name

Vessel; Lidded Cup

Culture

Augsburg

Dated

ca. 1570/75

Artist

Clement Kicklinger (Meister 1561 - 1617 Augsburg)

Material

Ostrich egg, coral, silver, partially gilded and painted

Dimensions

H. 56,8 cm

Markings

Augsburger Pyr (SEL 12); R 3, Nr.355 (SEL 735a)
Seling 2007: MZ 735a, BZ 0070 (verwendet 1559-1586)

Image rights

Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Kunstkammer

Inv. No.

Kunstkammer, 897

IGS - Straußeneipokal - Kicklinger

OESG - Straußeneipokal - Kicklinger

Permalink (citable Link) to this page: www.khm.at/en/object/87096/

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