3rd quarter 16th c.
The bezoar, a gastrolith (stomach stone) from goats and llamas, has found use as a medium against poison, epilepsy, and melancholy since antiquity. It was often mounted on golden chains or in vessels, as its healing powers could supposedly diffuse in contact with liquids. Here, the precious base emphasises the importance of this particularly large stone as a healing agent and Kunstkammer object.
Bezoar
Spanish
3rd quarter 16th c.
Bezoar, gold, emeralds, rubies
H. 25,5 cm, B. 16 cm, T. 13,3 cm
Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Kunstkammer
Kunstkammer, 981
Permalink (citable Link) to this page: www.khm.at/en/object/87180/
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