In the tropical seas of our planet there are representatives of numerous and ancient group of cephalopods.This is similar to small octopus nautilus, which in Russian is called"pearl boat ».







Over millions of years, these creatures have not changed.Scallops with engraved placed in openwork frame , transforming them into unusual jewelry, more often - cups.Works of this kind were very popular among the Nuremberg masters of the late XVII - early XVIII centuries.The decor of the cups - nautilus commonly used images of mythological characters , in one way or another connected with the sea ..







Such shells, treated with an acid solution , and converted jewelers in cups - nautiluses.Cups Nautilus whenever have been made thanks to the extraordinary charm of wonderful shells and always look sacraments and vlekusche.Perlamutr of Nautilus was especially appreciated in the Middle Ages , was recovering in glasses and was a favorite in the entire West. ..







Beauty shells and convenience of their processing capabilities, jewelers XVI- XVII centuries, creating jobs , buyout used as gifts and prizes. Winner of this Cup tolerate it only in the most solemn occasions as a symbol of their prestige.







Cup is not just equipment for water or wine - is a deeply symbolic vessel.The base symbolizes the earth.Leg support bowl symbolizing the house. The edge of the cup - the crown , and completes the cup lid, as the roof of the house. The shape of the cup , a strict and solemn , emphasizes its special role on the banquet table. This is an important thing was made of gold, silver , crystal, ceramics, and the XVII century and made ​​of glass.Cup came to Russia during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. Sale cups commoners was banned. Drink out of them could afford a rich and noble people.Very quickly the cup shall cease to apply for its intended purpose.Trophies and medals emphasized wealth and status , they were kept as a precious piece of furniture.







In royal Kunstkamera various exotic shells.They could be as rough , that is in its natural form , and artfully rimmed and becoming a part of any product. Magnificent examples of this work are presented in the exhibition - nautiluses cups.The point of creating such bizarre products that do not have a practical purpose was to
show in the fantastic view of the rare and precious works of nature , which the jeweler , competing with their natural beauty and showing great skill , trying to supplement and properly arrange.







For German jeweler"s art in the full sense of the word" golden age" was the XVI century. One of his main points was Nuremberg - a free imperial city , standing at the crossroads of important trade routes.Birthplace of Albrecht Durer - it was a cultural center of the Renaissance. Among the wide diversity of silver jewelry , created by German craftsmen in the XVI-XVII century , special attention should be drinking vessels.The most typical of them were lozhchatye Cups - double or covers.

One of the most popular forms of lozhchatyh vessels was a form of a cup with a lid in the shape of a flower Aquilegia - Ageleybecher. By the 80 th year of the XV century lozhchatye cups get the most widespread , and German masters are unmatched in their creation. With the advent of the first sketches to Durer silverware in the German art of jewelry appear motifs borrowed from nature ; the emergence of numerous frogs , snails, snakes , lizards , cast on live models, marks the entry into the German business style silver" ristique", ie Agriculture.All these figures were meant to surprise and impress the audience with their uniqueness , delight technical virtuosity.







Another aspect of style" ristique" was the use of natural shells and their imitations of colored stone and metal, ostrich eggs, narwhal teeth , coconut shells to create cups , bowls , various vessels purely decorative purposes.Articles of these materials since the early Middle Ages had a symbolic meaning and were surrounded by mystery. Ostrich egg , for example, was considered a bird belonging to the Phoenix , and the narwhal tooth almost to the XVIII century was known as the horn of the mythical unicorn.
very popular in Germany shaped cups.German burgher found quite appropriate to drink from a cup - horse Cup - owl or a ship during a noisy feasts.Many of these"cups - fun"and served as a major objectives - were presented on the occasion of birth , christening , engagement , weddings and other significant events in a person"s life.



There were also cups, which over time have lost its original symbolic meaning and turned into cups , fun , kind of toys. This - cups boats.In the Middle Ages they had a sacred meaning and used as vessels for wine ; as relics of these boats had to be protected from hardship in the sea everyday.In the XVII century ship is gradually losing all the previous values ​​, becoming a simple table decorations, cup - fun. Table decoration in the form of single-masted vessel - rigging , guns , a pavilion and figures of sailors on board , was made famous Nuremberg master Esay zur Linden in the first third of the XVII century. Cups - ships in the second half of the XVI century gradually become comic , while , as in earlier times , the meaning of such vessels was multivalued.The tradition of jewelers miniature ships out in the Middle Ages , when they were symbols of life , votive objects , vessels for wine on the tables of princes , castors and finally , table decorations , which were put in spices and put in front of special guests of honor.These vessels are due to give them a sacred significance should be protected from the poison of spices and therefore safeguard their owners from poisoning, and as relics - to protect against adversity in the sea everyday or saved in a shipwreck.By the XVII century ship jewelers loses all of these values ​​, becoming just a desktop decoration and cup - fun.

























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