Table Decoration with “Adder’s Tongues”
ca. 1450
Pomp and Circumstance: Sumptuous Sideboards Court festivities have always served to demonstrate a host’s status and wealth to the admitted members of the public. In the 15th century, sideboards set with precious objects were a prominent feature of such occasions: gold, silver, and rock crystal vessels were placed next to griffin’s claws, so-called Natternzungenkredenzen (table decorations set with “adders’ tongues”) or burr-wood cups: all of them materials credited with magical powers to protect from poison.
Pomp and Circumstance: Sumptuous Sideboards Court festivities have always served to demonstrate a host’s status and wealth to the admitted members of the public. In the 15th century, sideboards set with precious objects were a prominent feature of such occasions: gold, silver, and rock crystal vessels were placed next to griffin’s claws, so-called Natternzungenkredenzen (table decorations set with “adders’ tongues”) or burr-wood cups: all of them materials credited with magical powers to protect from poison.
Time:
ca. 1450
Object Name
Tableware
Culture
Nuremberg (?)
Material/technology:
Gilded silver, shark teeth, citrine
Dimensions:
27 cm × 16,3 cm × 15,6 cm
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Kunstkammer
Invs.
Kunstkammer, 89
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