SHOWCASE 37. WEST EUROPEAN WORKS OF ART FROM NATURAL MATERIALS IN THE 16TH - 17TH CENTURIES

The Armoury collection of naturals contains articles made of natural materials, such as amber, mother-of-pearl, rock crystal and semiprecious stones etc. in the 16th-17th centuries. These artworks resulted in a successful collaboration between the experts on material processing and the goldsmiths. The most part of the items was executed by German makers.

Passion for rarities, precious materials, pieces of virtu from America, Africa and India influenced the applied art of European countries. German jewellers decorated their silverware with shells of ostrich eggs, coconuts, ivory, mother-of-pearl and glass. The showcase represents 'Nautilus' goblets made of mother-of-pearl and ivory; candlesticks, tea caddies, wine flagons and pickle bowls made of amber; goblets made of ostrich eggshells mounted in gilded silver and a group of items made of rock crystal etc.