Luxury Goods Display, Iceland National Museum ~ Reykjavik, Iceland
Luxury Goods
Luxury goods were imported from mainland Europe in some quantity. The work of Icelandic craftsmen often reflects foreign influences; some of their craftsmanship was comparable to the very best from abroad.
1. Stoneware jugs, used for baptismal water, one (a) dated 1598 AD, from Raeren, Belgium, the other German of Westerwald type, 17th century.
2. Drinking vessel made from marine mammal tooth, carved with animal images. 16th century.
3. Delicate porcelain bowl, believed to have belonged to Páll Jónsson of Staðarhóll.
4. Whalebone and silver spoons. The silver spoons are Danish, but the whalebone spoons were carved in Iceland.
5. Silver knife and fork, believed to have belonged to the district commissioners at Ögur in the West Fjords.
6. 17th Century Dutch snuff and tobacco containers of brass. A scene from the city of Amsterdam is carved on the lid, showing ships moored in the harbour. Tortoise shell snuff box. Inside the lid there is an old brandmark and the year 1603 is inscribed.
7. Brass keyrings with engraved ornamentation and inscriptions. The inscription on the larger one reads, in English translation: Drive hatred and anger and Weltschmerz away from me. The smaller one is inscribed with a verse.
8. Heart-shaped locket on a chain: probably for a pomander. Imported, 16th century.
9. Gold ring from the 15th or 16th century, with embossed Gothic design. Said to have belonged to the 17th-century Bishop Brynjólfur Sveinsson.
10. Two silver belts and strap-ends (d) in the Renaissance style. Linked silver belt (b). The clasp of the belt is German, dating from the 16th century, while the belt itself is Icelandic filigree of later date. Pendant openwork belt (c), late Middle c. made from cut and wrought silver.
Luxury Goods Display, Iceland National Museum ~ Reykjavik, Iceland
Luxury Goods
Luxury goods were imported from mainland Europe in some quantity. The work of Icelandic craftsmen often reflects foreign influences; some of their craftsmanship was comparable to the very best from abroad.
1. Stoneware jugs, used for baptismal water, one (a) dated 1598 AD, from Raeren, Belgium, the other German of Westerwald type, 17th century.
2. Drinking vessel made from marine mammal tooth, carved with animal images. 16th century.
3. Delicate porcelain bowl, believed to have belonged to Páll Jónsson of Staðarhóll.
4. Whalebone and silver spoons. The silver spoons are Danish, but the whalebone spoons were carved in Iceland.
5. Silver knife and fork, believed to have belonged to the district commissioners at Ögur in the West Fjords.
6. 17th Century Dutch snuff and tobacco containers of brass. A scene from the city of Amsterdam is carved on the lid, showing ships moored in the harbour. Tortoise shell snuff box. Inside the lid there is an old brandmark and the year 1603 is inscribed.
7. Brass keyrings with engraved ornamentation and inscriptions. The inscription on the larger one reads, in English translation: Drive hatred and anger and Weltschmerz away from me. The smaller one is inscribed with a verse.
8. Heart-shaped locket on a chain: probably for a pomander. Imported, 16th century.
9. Gold ring from the 15th or 16th century, with embossed Gothic design. Said to have belonged to the 17th-century Bishop Brynjólfur Sveinsson.
10. Two silver belts and strap-ends (d) in the Renaissance style. Linked silver belt (b). The clasp of the belt is German, dating from the 16th century, while the belt itself is Icelandic filigree of later date. Pendant openwork belt (c), late Middle c. made from cut and wrought silver.