German ‘Kabinettkunst’

Period: 1600-1800

Origin: Germany

Medium: Wood, Ivory, Horn, Bone, Nut

Literature: Aesthetically pleasing and artistically fascinating, the art of turning ivory on a lathe to produce varying geometrical shapes was extremely popular in the northern courts of Europe. Practised as a form of leisure activity by the aristocracy, it was a major domestic art form comparable perhaps with embroidery. The tradition dated back to the 16th and 17th centuries when ivory turning was patronised by royalty. Christof Angermair (1580-1633) was the court turner to Maximilian, Elector of Bavaria and was held in such high esteem by his master that he was allowed to marry into the noble family.