Bear as Hunter
ca. 1580/81 | Gregor Bair
The bear as hunter is among the most popular motifs of the “world turned upside-down,” whereby the quarry itself becomes the hunter with a raised rifle. A drinking cup is unexpectedly hidden in the removable head, a miniature game board lies on the stand, and due to a coating, the wild animal smells of ambergris. Hunt, play, and drink all suggest the eminent forms of courtly amusement.
The bear as hunter is among the most popular motifs of the “world turned upside-down,” whereby the quarry itself becomes the hunter with a raised rifle. A drinking cup is unexpectedly hidden in the removable head, a miniature game board lies on the stand, and due to a coating, the wild animal smells of ambergris. Hunt, play, and drink all suggest the eminent forms of courtly amusement.
Artist:
Gregor Bair (Meran; Meister 1573 - 1604 Augsburg)
Time:
ca. 1580/81
Object Name
Vessel; Statuette; Joke Vessel
Culture
Augsburg and Munich
Material/technology:
Silver, gold, enamel, brass, iron, ambergris, jewels
Dimensions:
H. 21,3 cm
Stamp / markings
Augsburger Pyr (SEL 15); R 3, Nr.394 (SEL 865a)
Seling 2007: MZ 865a, BZ 0070 (verwendet 1559-1586)
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Kunstkammer
Invs.
Kunstkammer, 1094