| Jewelry and articles of amber in ancient times |
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Arts amber processing reached its peak in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Kings and princes willingly used the artistry of amber, who meet their desires do not regret the finest raw materials. A. Aurifaber in 1551, he wrote: "I saw lumps of amber the size of a human head, from which His Highness the Prince commanded to perform magic (i) cups." Some of these masterpieces are preserved to this day. The treasury of the Wawel Cathedral is stored medallion with a portrait of King Stefan Batory, found in the sarcophagus of Anna the Jagiellonian. Currently, the medallion is poczerwieniały, but in times of glory was completely clear and shining brilliance złotożółtawym. Also in the collection of the Wawel Castle is an unusual cup made of amber. He had no interest, and for that they called him hobble (drinking with him, he had to drink the contents to the bottom). At the bottom of the cup is a portrait of Sigismund III, constructed a special technique, which according to historians might indicate that the cup was made by the king himself. Sigismund III, known for his artistic ability had a habit of leaving his own likeness in the works. Amber performed with a wide range of subjects. To this day, preserved in necklaces, mugs, trays, figurines, framed in amber, cutlery, boxes, candlesticks, reliquaries and altars kabineciki shaped cabinets. Because they were ornamental objects carved ornaments embellished them. Especially popular were the caskets of amber. Master in the field was Chris Maucher, who lived in the seventeenth century. He was a master in the selection of various varieties of amber, used for making caskets. One of the caskets made by the craftsman survived to this day at the Castle Museum in Malbork, you can count on it with 20 varieties of amber, despite the fact that for three centuries, some of them changed color and became comparable to each other.
Tankard cover with the workshop Skriby George. The first half of the seventeenth century.
Rosary and cross Kurpiowski amber. The rosary made Deptula Victor in 1949.
Szkatua by Christopher Maucher. Gdańsk. The end of the seventeenth century. Source: Kosmowska-Cerankowicz Konart B. T. "The Mysteries of Amber |
