Jan 10
The Sea Unicorn as a Drinking Vessel: around 1600, Elias Geyer created an extraordinary work of art!
Inspired by the ancient sea monster "Hippocampus", the front half of a horse-like unicorn in gilded silver emerges from the shell of a turban snail. It rears up wildly—supported by a branch—and is guided by a small figure of Neptune holding its reins.
Drinking vessels shaped like such mythical creatures were particularly fascinating at the time: they were often made from narwhal tusks—so-called unicorn horns—whose rarity and lustrous beauty made them highly prized luxury objects.
In: Grünes Gewölbe, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
