Master of the tulip tops

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A goldsmith and silversmith from Nuremberg, who is not known for certain by name and who created richly decorated tulip cups in the middle of the 17th century, is referred to as the master of the tulip tops . Sigmund Bierfreund is believed to be his real name .

Style and commercial diffusion

The vessels of the master of the tulip tops are the last representatives of traditional silversmithing made goblets before newer materials such as glass and other precious metals besides gold and silver began to dominate the creation of sumptuous drinking vessels.

The tulip motifs of the master of the tulip tops show the commercial exploitation of the enthusiasm for the tulip as a sign of wealth and luxury in his time. About ten trophies from his hand should still be preserved. Nuremberg silverware was still in great demand in all parts of Europe at the time of the master, especially in Scandinavia and Russia, where some of the master’s works are still in museums or private collections.

SBF Sigmund Bierfreund

The Master of tulips crests used the brand SBF and is intended to be identical to a native of Prussia Nuremberg gold and silversmith Sigmund Bierfreund (* around 1619 / 1620 ; † 1702 ). Maybe this was a member of the Ferrn family, his signature was the two letters SB above the F in a heart.

literature

  • R. Schürer: On the old glory of goldsmithing - Nuremberg silver in Europe . In: Quasi Centrum Europae Europa buys in Nuremberg from 1400-1800. Exhibition catalog Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg 2002, pp. 174–197.
  • Nora Koldehoff / Sefan Koldehoff: Who did van Gogh give his ear to? Everything you don't know about art . Eichborn Verlag, 2007, p. 16.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ R. Schürer: On the old glory of goldsmithing. Nuremberg silver in Europe . In: Quasi Centrum Europae. Europe buys in Nuremberg from 1400-1800. Exhibition catalog Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg 2002, p. 197 (footnote).
  2. ↑ See tulip mania
  3. ↑ Cf. M. Rosenberg: The goldsmith's mark. Frankfurt am Main 1923.
  4. ↑ See e.g. BG Bott (Hrsg.): Wenzel Jamnitzer and Die Nürnberger Goldschmiedekunst 1500-1700: Goldsmith's work, designs, models, medals, ornamental engravings, jewelry, portraits. An exhibition in the Germanic National Museum in Nuremberg . (June - September 1985, exhibition catalog). Klinkhardt & Biermann 1985, N. 182.
personal data
SURNAME Master of the tulip tops
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Nuremberg gold and silversmith
DATE OF BIRTH 16th century or 17th century
DATE OF DEATH 17th century or 18th century