Gemological Flora and Fauna

Gemological Flora and Fauna

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Published on

08.03.2022


Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim Collections

World of Parrots

The Great Ruby

The Charismatic Snail

Bee Friendly

World Bee Day

Parrot pendant
Gold, diamonds, rubies, pearls, enamel
Southern Germany
About 1560–1570
Donation of the Werner Wild Foundation
Photography by Günter Meyer


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The parrot pendant, which is richly decorated with gold, diamonds, rubies and pearls, was crafted in the second half of the 16th century in southern Germany, possibly in Augsburg.

 

The colorful bird is surrounded by a white hare, a snail and a bee. The pendant was likely a wedding gift, as parrots are known to mate for life, thus symbolizing marital fidelity.

The rubies themselves symbolize love, while the flowering branches are redolent of abundant fertility. Beyond the parrot itself, other fauna include the bee as a symbol of hard work and the snail as a reflection of domesticity.

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.

— Cornelie Holzach

There is also a spiritual undercurrent to the pendant, as the parrot, snail and white rabbit are iconographically linked with the Virgin Mary and are considered an expression of feminine virtues.

The parrot, for example, is associated with the virtue of obedience. This is because the parrot was seen as a bird that could be easily trained to repeat phrases or prayers, much like how a faithful Christian should follow God’s will without question.

 

The snail, on the other hand, is linked with the virtue of humility. This is because the snail is a small and seemingly insignificant creature that moves slowly and steadily, representing the idea that one should not strive for attention or fame but instead lead a humble and modest life.

 

Finally, the white rabbit is associated with the virtue of purity. The color white symbolizes innocence and purity, and the rabbit’s timid and gentle nature reinforces this association.

 

Together, these animal symbols in the pendant express a range of feminine virtues that were highly valued in Christian societies. The use of such symbols in jewelry demonstrates how spirituality and symbolism have been integrated into material culture throughout history.

 

In any case, it will have been clear to the bride what expectations were placed on her.

The parrot pendant, which has been on permanent display at  Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim since 1968, is now part of the museum’s collection as part of the Werner Wild Foundation’s generous donation on the occasion of its tenth anniversary.

There is also a spiritual undercurrent to the pendant, as the parrot, snail and white rabbit are iconographically linked with the Virgin Mary and are considered to be an expression of feminine virtues.

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.  

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