Stag-Shaped Welcome Goblet
The stag's antlers are made of a large piece of coral. The Saxonian coat of arms is fastened on his breast, with a drop-shaped solid silver bead dangling beneath. The head and neck are removable. Underneath, there the inscription: "H.F.W.Z.S. VOREHRT DISEN HIRSCH: SEINEM: F: LIBEN: BRVDER: H.I.Z.S. VF: DESSELBEN: GEBVRTS: TAG. ZVM. WILKOM: GEGEN: ALDENBVRG. ANNO 1592." On the base wrought a meadow with a snake, lizards and snails. Signed [hallmark / makers mark] with "MB" and the Augsburg pine cone.
Gift by Duke Friedrich Wilhelm, Johann Wilhelm of Saxe-Weimar's son, to his brother Duke Johann, father of Ernst I. of Saxe-Gotha. Used as the welcome goblet in Georgenthal (according to the 1830 inventory). Extant in the Kunstkammer since at least 1659, probable loss after 1945, whereabouts unknown.
Inventar 1659, S. 14, Nr. 2 und S. 47, Nr. 1; Inventar 1830, fol. 6v, Nr. 129; Inventar 1858, Bd. I, Cap. XXII, fol. 234r-235r, Nr. 49; Aldenhoven Geräth und Schmuck, Goldschmiedsarbeit, Nr. 8; Zeichen-Inventar um 1900, Nr. IIII.1.8.
Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein
Gotha
Schlossplatz 1
99867 Gotha
Germany