Pouring Vessel in the Shape of an Elephant

Before the introduction of silverware, hand-washing sets consisting of a pitcher and basin formed an essential part of every rich collection of table utensils. This war elephant is an aquamanile, a pouring vessel. A removable plate on the head allowed the vessel to be filled; the elephant’s trunk ends in two spouts, and the tail served as a handle. The accompanying basin with a depiction of the ancient military leader Hannibal, who crossed the Alps with elephants, has been lost since the 18th century and is known only from a copperplate engraving. The elephant was considered a symbol of rulership, and represented strength, power, and wealth. During the Renaissance and Baroque periods Nuremberg was a centre of German goldsmithing. Christoph Jamnitzer (1563–1618), grandson of Wenzel Jamnitzer, ranks among the most important masters of his craft. In this piece he created a depiction of this exotic animal that is surprisingly naturalistic for his time.