In 2010, the heirs of the magnificent pendant decided to sell it, which prompted Cornelie Holzach, director of  Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim, to reach out to them. “Initially, I was very shocked by the news that the parrot might leave our house. So I immediately contacted the Werner Wild Foundation to see if it would be possible to acquire this beautiful precious object for Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim, which is important for the collection and so popular with visitors.” says Holzach.

The response came promptly, and further coordination with the foundation and the heirs was very constructive. The pendant was further vetted for authenticity by an expert analyst to ensure the gold and enamel were indeed from the 16th century. This was followed by purchase formalities to shift the parrot pendant from one hand to another. “It was a joy for the parrot to return to the museum, and now, it’s here to stay,” added Holzach.