Pouring vessel in the shape of an elephant, Christoph Jamnitzer (1563 - 1618), 1600, Nürnberg. Silver, cast, gold-plated, partially painted, 43 x 13 x 30 cm. Ident.Nr. K 3900. Kunstgewerbemuseum © Foto: Kunstgewerbemuseum der Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin - Preußischer Kulturbesitz. Foto Karen Bartsch.

Prior to the introduction of the cutlery handwashing sets were made ​​jug and basin portion of each precious tablet device. This war elephant is a casting vessel, he has at the top a removable disk, the snout two sinks, the tail serves as a handle. The corresponding tanks with the handed down by a copperplate illustration of ancient military leader Hannibal who crossed the Alps with elephants is lost since the 18th century. The elephant was considered a ruler icon, and represented strength, power and wealth. 
Nuremberg was in the Renaissance and Baroque, a center of German goldsmith. Christoph Jamnitzer (1563-1618), grandson of Wenzel Jamnitzer, one of the most important masters of his craft. He succeeded here a surprisingly lifelike for its time representation of the exotic animal. SN