A 17th-century mechanical stag that turns drinking cherry brandy into a complex game.
In short: Discover a sophisticated piece of German aristocratic entertainment. This automaton, crafted as a stag-shaped bottle, served as the centerpiece for elaborate drinking games during the early 1600s. Rachel King, curator of the Waddesdon Bequest, explains the mechanics and social history behind this unique piece of historical drinking paraphernalia.
Created in Nuremberg between 1617 and 1620 by Wolf Christoff Ritter, this automaton represents the pinnacle of drinking entertainment for the 16th and 17th-century elite. It functioned as both a functional vessel for cherry brandy and a mechanical device designed to challenge guests during social gatherings.
The object offers a rare glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the German aristocracy, where drinking was often accompanied by intricate, purpose-built devices. By examining how this stag-shaped automaton was constructed and operated, we gain insight into the intersection of fine craftsmanship and social ritual in early modern Europe.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Automaton that is also a Drinking Game | with Rachel King | Curator's Corner S7 Ep9
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