Showcase 40. Augsburg silver of the age of baroque of the XVIIth to early XVIIIth century

Dish. Germany, Augsburg, the second half of the XVIIth century. Maker L. Biller II
The Armoury possesses the world's largest collection of works by the Augsburg silversmiths, which consists of more than four hundred magnificent items from the XVIth to the early XVIIIth century. The exhibits, placed in the showcase, reveal typical features of the baroque style in silverware as well as evolution of its ornamentation and peculiarities of the local schools of silversmithing.


Vessel shaped as a sculpture "King Charles I the rider". Germany, Augsburg, the first half of the XVIIth century. Maker D. Schwestermuller
Candlestick vase. Germany, Augsburg, the second half of the XVIIth century. Maker A. Drentwett II
Industry of jewellery-making and metalworking flourished in Augsburg thanks to its favourable geographical position at the intersection of trade routes. Between 1525 and 1575 there were about a hundred gold- and silversmiths working here. Their articles came to be in great demand. The goblets, figured wash-jugs, fireplace decorations and wine vessels of varied forms present a high technique of execution, fine ornament and delicate proportions. Like Nuremberg, Augsburg was the city, where jewellery-making skills were passed on from generation to generation. The Armoury collection includes silverware made by several members of the Drentwett family, whose articles were known and popular in many countries.

Mirror in silver frame. Germany, Augsburg, 1690. Maker A. Drentwett II
The Augsburg makers, satisfying the requirements of fashion of their epoch, made an important contribution to interior design and development of decorative utensils for walls, tables, fireplaces. The sumptuousness of palaces and palace ceremonies led to appearance of massive silver tableware, figured vases and vessels, buckets and mugs in baroque style. Foliate motifs and diverse variations on the cartilaginous ornament typical of baroque predominated. The makers were famed for silver furniture of massive forms made for palace apartments. We can see two large mirrors in silver frame by Abraham Drentwett II and silver tables executed at the beginning of the XVIIIth century by Johann Engelbrent. The mirror and tables are decorated with splendid chasing and casting in baroque and style.