Cleveland Museum of Art

Heraldic Panel with Arms of Lichtenfels and a Unicorn Hunt

Date

c. 1515

Medium

white glass with silver stain and pot metal

Culture

Germany or Switzerland, 16th century

Department

Decorative Art and Design

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The upper half of this panel shows a unicorn hunt reconfigured to represent the annunciation. Only a virgin could lure a unicorn who is seen here grasping the horn of the mythical beast; not far behind are the hunter and hounds. The Virgin here is the Virgin Mary and arriving to the scene is the angel Gabriel dressed as a hunter. The red glass is actually layered over clear glass. Otherwise, it would be too dark to see through.

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