Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 3 works by Wenzel Jamnitzer in our catalogue
In short
To the gallery's eye, Wenzel Jamnitzer's most famous painting is Mother Earth (or Merkel) table decoration (1549), whose original hangs in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Nautilus Cup in the Form of a Chicken (1550) and Inkstand (1560) complete the trio every eye recognises. Of the 3 works by Wenzel Jamnitzer in our catalog, the gallery presents the 3 most famous below, each original with its year, its museum and what makes it unique.
A silver figure of Mother Earth rises from a fluted base, her arms supporting a heavy bowl of abundance. She carries the weight of the world upon her head. Around her, the metal transforms into a garden of silver flora and fauna. Tiny lizards and ring snakes wind through the stems, their scales captured in cold, hard metal. These are not mere carvings; they are life casts, molded from the…
Behold a breathtaking testament to 16th-century artistry – Wenzel Jamnitzer’s "Nautilus Cup in the Form of a Chicken," crafted around 1550. This extraordinary piece, now available as a meticulously hand-painted reproduction, transports viewers to the heart of the Northern Renaissance, showcasing the unparalleled skill and decorative ambition of one of Germany's most celebrated goldsmiths.
A Testament to Renaissance Craftsmanship: Examining Wenzel Jamnitzer’s Inkstand The silver inkstand attributed to Wenzel Jamnitzer (circa 1507 – December 19, 1585) stands as a remarkable exemplar of Northern Mannerist artistry—a style characterized by refined elegance and meticulous attention to detail that flourished during the mid-16th century. More than just an instrument for calligraphy, this diminutive sculpture embodies the intellectual fervor and artistic innovation prevalent in Nuremberg’s burgeoning cultural landscape…
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 2 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Wenzel Jamnitzer | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Kunsthistorisches Museum |
Vienna | 2 | Nautilus Cup in the Form of a Chicken, Inkstand |
 Rijksmuseum |
Amsterdam | 1 | Mother Earth (or Merkel) table decoration |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
A silver figure of Mother Earth rises from a fluted base, her arms supporting a heavy bowl of abundance. She carries the weight of the world upon her head. Around her, the metal transforms into a garden of silver flora and fauna. Tiny lizards and ring snakes wind through the stems, their scales captured in cold, hard metal. These are not mere carvings; they are life casts, molded from the…
Behold a breathtaking testament to 16th-century artistry – Wenzel Jamnitzer’s "Nautilus Cup in the Form of a Chicken," crafted around 1550. This extraordinary piece, now available as a meticulously hand-painted reproduction, transports viewers to the heart of the Northern Renaissance, showcasing the unparalleled skill and decorative ambition of one of Germany's most celebrated goldsmiths.
A Testament to Renaissance Craftsmanship: Examining Wenzel Jamnitzer’s Inkstand The silver inkstand attributed to Wenzel Jamnitzer (circa 1507 – December 19, 1585) stands as a remarkable exemplar of Northern Mannerist artistry—a style characterized by refined elegance and meticulous attention to detail that flourished during the mid-16th century. More than just an instrument for calligraphy, this diminutive sculpture embodies the intellectual fervor and artistic innovation prevalent in Nuremberg’s burgeoning cultural landscape…
Mother Earth (or Merkel) table decoration (1549), Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Nautilus Cup in the Form of a Chicken (1550) and Inkstand (1560) come next.
42 years old: Mother Earth (or Merkel) table decoration dates from 1549, and Wenzel Jamnitzer was born in 1507.
Our catalog holds 3 works by Wenzel Jamnitzer, dated from 1549 to 1560.
Mostly in Kunsthistorisches Museum (Vienna) and Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam). The museum table above lists them all.
On this page, the earliest is Mother Earth (or Merkel) table decoration (1549) and the latest Inkstand (1560).
Acrylic On Canvas, for 2 of the 3 works on this page.
Northern mannerism, judging by the originals on this page.
Nautilus Cup in the Form of a Chicken and Inkstand: the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna holds 2 of the works on this page.
