Bezoar Spanish, 3rd quarter 16th century. Bezoar, gold, emeralds, rubies. H. 25,5 cm, B. 16 cm, T. 13,3 cm. Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Kunstkammer, 981. © KHM-Museumsverband.

The bezoar, a gastrolith (stomach stone) from goats and llamas, has found use as a medium against poison, epilepsy, and melancholy since antiquity. It was often mounted on golden chains or in vessels, as its healing powers could supposedly diffuse in contact with liquids. Here, the precious base emphasises the importance of this particularly large stone as a healing agent and Kunstkammer object. 

Bezoar Mounted as an Oak Tree, with a Pig, Vienna (?), ca. 1700. Bezoar, gold, tiger cowry. L. 16,2 cm. Mark: Coat of arms of the Duke of Alba (1508-1582). Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Kunstkammer, 957. © KHM-Museumsverband.

Bezoar, Spanish, 16th century. Bezoar, gold. L. 9 cm, D. 4,9 cm. Inscribed: "PEDRA . BESOHAR . FINISSIMA . PESA . OCHO . ONCAS" ["Feinster Bezoarstein, wiegt acht Unzen"]. Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Kunstkammer, 958. © KHM-Museumsverband.

Bezoar, Iberian, 1st half 16th century. Bezoar, gold. H. 21 cm. Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Kunstkammer, 994. © KHM-Museumsverband.

Bezoar, Ormuz, End of the 16th century. Bezoar, gold. H. 9 cm (without ring). Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Kunstkammer, 996. © KHM-Museumsverband.

Bezoar of the Duke of Alba, Goa (India), 4th quarter 16th century. Bezoar, gold filigree. L. 16,2 cm. Mark: Coat of arms of the Duke of Alba (1508-1582). Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Kunstkammer, 998. © KHM-Museumsverband.