{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O138198"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O138198/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2008BU7197/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2008BU7197/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2008BU7197","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2008BU7198","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2017KA8622","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O138198/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O138198","accessionNumber":"M.975-1928","objectType":"Tankard","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"'Cabinets of curiosities' and buffet displays reflected the prevailing European taste for natural and man-made wonders. Materials such as serpentine marble and coconut shell were enhanced with silver or silver-gilt mounts for display. Objects within the 'cabinet of curiosities' were primarily objects of delight rather than of use, although they were often made in functional forms. By 1600, every prince aspired to such a collection. This concentration of wealth and artistry was intended to express the ancient lineage, power and connoisseurship of the patron's family.\r\n\r\nLittle is known about the production and marketing of mounted vessels made from exotic natural materials, although it can be assumed that certain goldsmiths specialised in the field. Serpentine marble was mined in Northern Germany, so it is possible that this tankard was mounted there. Serpentine was believed to have miraculous powers to protect against poison.","physicalDescription":"Domed cover embossed with foliage surmounted by a lion rampant supporting a shield engraved with a merchant's mark. The lip is engraved with floral scrolls, the body bound by an inscribed strip. The tankard has a curved handle with beaded ornament and spreading gadrooned foot.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"serpentine","id":"AAT11627"},{"text":"silver gilt","id":"x37998"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Serpentine marble, silver gilt mounts","categories":[{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2008BU7197","2008BU7198","2017KA8622"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"62","id":"THES49739"},"free":"","case":"CA6","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Tankard","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Germany","id":"x28873"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1616","earliest":"1616-01-01","latest":"1616-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by H. Eric Miller through the National Art Collections Fund","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"23","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"20.3","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"15","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"base","note":""},{"dimension":"Weight","value":"1.06","unit":"kg","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Measured for the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"CHRISTOPHORVS. FORNADOR. HOFRICHTER. DES.W. GOTS. HAVS. SEITEN STETEN. SPES. NON. CONFVNDIT. 1616","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"'Christophorus Fornador, High Court Judge of God's house on behalf of Stettin. Hope Confounds not'.","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Inscription in German and Latin"}],"objectHistory":"Gift through the NACF from H Eric Miller\n\nHistorical significance: Little is known about the production and marketing of mounted vessels made from exotic natural materials, although it can be assumed that certain goldsmiths specialised in the field. The widespread passion for collecting and mounting marvels of nature and craftsmanship would have provided goldsmiths with a steady source of patronage from the 15th century onwards. \r\n\r\nSerpentine marble was mined in Northern Germany, so it is possible that this tankard was mounted there. Serpentine was believed to have miraculous powers to protect against poison.","historicalContext":"The contents of late medieval and 16th century cabinets of curiosities and buffet displays reflected the prevailing European taste for natural and man-made wonders enhanced with silver or silver-gilt mounts. By 1600, every prince aspired to such a collection. This concentration of wealth and artistry was intended to express the ancient lineage, power and connoisseurship of the patron's family. Objects within the 'cabinet of curiosities' were primarily objects of delight rather than of use, although they were often made in functional forms.","briefDescription":"Serpentine marble tankard with silver gilt mounts, Germany, 1616","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Patterson, Angus, <u>Fashion and Armour in Renaissance Europe: Proud Lookes and Brave Attire</u>, V&A Publishing, London, 2009, ISBN  9781851775811, p. 102, ill."}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"foliage","id":"x42645"},{"text":"lion","id":"x30150"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"TANKARD\r\nGERMAN, Prussia; dated 1616\r\nSerpentine, mounted in silver-gilt\r\n\r\nThe inscription in German and Latin on the band around the middle reads 'Christophorus Fornador, High Court Judge of God's house on behalf of Stettin. Hope Confounds not'. Fornador was perhaps in the service of the Duke of Pmmern-Stettin.\r\n\r\nGiven by H. Eric Miller through the National Art Collections Fund","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null}}],"partNumbers":["M.975-1928"],"accessionNumberNum":"975","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1928,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LP9967","2019LT7384","2019LV9973"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-09","recordCreationDate":"2007-08-02","availableToBook":false}}