Ewer with Wild Man Finial

Unknown

ca. 1500 · Silver gilt, enamel, and paint · The Cloisters

These ewers long have been thought to be the pair mentioned in the 1526 and 1585 inventories of the Order of the Teutonic Knights, which were emblazoned with the arms of Hartmann von Stockheim, the German grand master of the order between 1499 and 1510 or 1513. Both works shown here are unmarked, and the attribution to Nuremberg is based on stylistic comparisons. For instance, the small cast figures against the buttresses are similar to examples by the Nuremberg goldsmith Sebastian Lindenast the Elder. The enameled and painted wild men are heraldic supporters but also can be understood as symbols of virility and procreation.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1500

Medium

Silver gilt, enamel, and paint

Culture

German

Department

The Cloisters

Credit line

The Cloisters Collection, 1953