Werthemann’s Stag, a drinking vessel

Among the most costly, most characteristic and extravagant works produced by the goldsmiths of Augsburg in the late 16th and early 17th centuries were Trinkspiele or drinking vessels intended first and foremost as table decorations for banquets at court. Some of these works are even fitted with wheels. Drinking vessels like this one in the form of Diana riding on the back of a stag were produced in the workshop of three famous Augsburg goldsmiths. They show the goddess of hunting accompanied by three large hounds, with two much smaller ones pursuing a hunter on foot. The drinking vessel was intended to amuse guests at court. After filling the hollow body of the stag and that of the largest dog with wine, the drinking vessel was wound up and allowed to run all over the table. It would eventually come to a halt in front of a pair of guests who then had to drink out of it simultaneously: the man did this by removing the stag’s head, the lady next to him by removing the dog’s head. The charm of this game, and the reason for its popularity, was the excitement of watching the vessel move of its own accord and the role played by chance in where it came to a halt.