An important Nuremberg Renaissance silver gil ...

An important Nuremberg Renaissance silver gilt tankard

Slightly conical body on a gently moulded basal ring; decorated with finely chased Mannerist figures, scrolls, mascarons, and three round reserves with figures representing Caritas, Fides, and Patientia from Peter Flötner's series of the seven virtues, and a fourth medallion depicting Fortitudo from the same series to the summit of the slightly domed lid. The figural thumb rest formed as a putto sitting on a wine barrel, the opulent scroll-form cast handle with fine relief decor surrounding a female herm. H 14 cm, weight 629 g.

Marks of Jobst Heberlein, ca. 1575 - 80.

** Provenance
Private collection, Lower Saxony.