Salver
- Gallery: Room 2a
- Maker: Hieronimus Berckhaussen
- Made in: Nuremberg
- Date: 1610-1625 (circa)
- Object type: salver
- Materials: enamel; silver
- Museum number: WB.92
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
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About this object
This circular salver is made of slightly gilded silver and decorated with embossed and chased patterns. At the center is a circular medallion engraved with the arms of Maurice, Prince of Orange and Count of Nassau, accompanied by crests and an inscription that reads “Mauritz Prinz zu Uranien Graf zu Nassau.” Around it, you’ll see a band of lion masks, strapwork, fruit, and a laurel wreath.
Looking closer, the bottom features three oval panels separated by winged figures, fruit, and scrolls. Each panel illustrates scenes from the Old Testament: Jonah cast up by a whale, Daniel in the lion's den, and another biblical figure.
Created in Nuremberg around 1610, this work is attributed to Hieronimus Berckhaussen, a master goldsmith. The marks indicate it was made during a period of great artistic and cultural activity, blending intricate design with historical symbolism.
See it in person
Salver is on display in Room 2a at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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