Lidded Tankard

Amber is found mainly on the coasts of the Baltic and North Sea. The precious fossil resin exists in different shades and varying degrees of transparency. These peculiarities were cleverly combined in the production and decoration of vessels and caskets. The body of this jug is made up of six rounded transparent plaques which are decorated in turn with carvings of ancient heroes and arrangements of weapons. Slender opaque yellow strips with inlaid transparent oval medallions separate the plaques from each other. Delicately enamelled flowers and leaves decorate the silver gilt handle and rim. The lower end of the handle finishes in a coat of arms - a golden sceptre on a blue background (sceptre of the Elector of Brandenburg as Lord Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Empire).