Elephant with Saltcellar
ca. 1550; 4th quarter 15th c. (elephant); 14/15th c. (saltcellar) | Francisco Lopez
Catherine of Austria, Queen of Portugal and sister of Charles V, acquired the small Indian-made elephant in 1550 and had it combined with an older saltcellar in Lisbon. Parts of varying origin were thus united in an unusual piece of tableware according to contemporary taste. The elephant is among the earliest documented and preserved objects of exotica acquired by the house of Habsburg.
Catherine of Austria, Queen of Portugal and sister of Charles V, acquired the small Indian-made elephant in 1550 and had it combined with an older saltcellar in Lisbon. Parts of varying origin were thus united in an unusual piece of tableware according to contemporary taste. The elephant is among the earliest documented and preserved objects of exotica acquired by the house of Habsburg.
Artist:
Francisco Lopez , (Goldschmied) (tätig um 1550)
Time:
ca. 1550; 4th quarter 15th c. (elephant); 14/15th c. (saltcellar)
Object Name
Vessel; Salt Cellar
Culture
Lisbon; Deccan plateau (India)
Material/technology:
Rock crystal, hyacinth, gold, enamel
Dimensions:
H. 7,3 cm, L. 9,4 cm, B. 4,9 cm
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Kunstkammer
Invs.
Kunstkammer, 2320