An ivory and ebony game board
Attributed to Ulrich Baumgartner
After drawings by Georg Hoefnagel
Details
Veneered and engraved ivory and ebony, encrusted with black and white wax, damascened and gilt iron fittings
H. 6 cm (2 3/8 in.); L. 40, 5 cm (16 in.); D. 34 cm (13 3/8 in.)
Comparative literature
Spielwelten der Kunst, Kunstkammerspiele, exhibition catalogue, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, 21 May‑2 August 1998, cat n°79, pp.156‑159 & cat. n°156 pp. 266‑267.
An ivory and ebony game board
Attributed to Ulrich Baumgartner
After drawings by Georg Hoefnagel
This refined gameboard features a chessboard on its outer side, and opens to reveal a backgammon. It is part of a small and sophisticated production made in Augsburg in the first quarter of the 17th century, with designs clearly inspired by Georg Hoefnagel (1542-1601). This production is characterised by the use of ivory and ebony with finely engraved flowers, insects and other small animals as well as scrolls and grotesques.
The models for the various insects depicted on this game board are taken from engravings by Jacob Hoefnagel (1579-1652), published in a book from 1592 titled “Archetypa studiaque patris Georgii Hoenagelii”. As indicated by the title, his engravings were made after drawings by his renowned father Georg (1542-1601).