Elias Lencker (-1591) (Goldsmith), Calvary, Nuremberg, dated 1577. Ebony, tropical timber, Blisterperlen, irregularly shaped pearls, silver, wrought, cast, engraved, stippled, etched, gilded, putty, oil gilding, turquoise, emeralds, garnets, peridot, silk; 67.0 x 31.0 x 19.3 cm. Inventory number III 187. Green Vault © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden 2016

The Calvary consists Perlmutterschalen and irregularly grown pearls, which were placed at the end of the 16th century by Spanish and Portuguese traders from the Gulf of Mexico, the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean to Europe. Since the mid-16th century they were used for jewelery, but never in such abundance for a single work of art. The beads splendor was joined by a version made of solid gold, the turquoises, emeralds and garnets are placed. After of the lazy nature casts can be found on the mountain as well as grasshoppers, lizards and frogs as lesser beings of impermanence, but also a little stork. In between are formed from silver wire trees and shrubs. The Calvary rock resting on a carved ebony base on which the Nuremberg goldsmith Elias Lencker six reliefs installed with scenes from the Passion of Christ: At the four corners, eight personifications of virtues. The year 1577, which was given on the cross strain, was for the Elector Augustus of great importance. Back then, the Concord was defined under its supervision in Dresden, with the Lutheran doctrine adopted orthodox forms and parted from Calvinism. 1580 sat Elector August on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession this creed at the Lutheran Estates by. The Calvary rock from beads with the lonely triumphant Christ may have been as a symbol of triumph of their faith for the Saxon Elector pair something. 1733 "Calvary of shells" at the behest of Augustus the Strong on was "table, the table top of oriental marble, the frame of walnut veneer, with goat's feet and brass fittings" erected in front of the long south wall of valuables hall - and there he is also today again.