An important silver gilt medallion with the adoration of the shepherds
Gift for the birth of Regina Hainhofer
A relief depiction of the adoration scene taking place against an architectural backdrop / ruins, with the Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan shown in the left background. Engraved on the reverse: “LVCAS GEIZKOFLER/ COMPATER REGINAE/ 16. NOVEMB: A 1608./ NATAE EX PHILIPPO HAI:/ NHOFERO DIVINITVS VT/ SEREGAT EXOPTANS/ F.C.” The corded surround with a hole drilled in the top for a corded hanging loop. D 7.1 cm, weight 57 g.
Unmarked, attributed to Augsburg, 1608.
Philipp Hainhofer (1578 - 1647) came from a successful Augsburg merchant family, which was raised to nobility by Emperor Rudolph II in 1578. Due to his affinity for art, Philipp began to build up collections at an early age. His good connections to the high nobility helped him gain an international reputation as an art dealer. His career culminated in his assembling and producing the famous Pommersche Kunstschrank (Pomeranian Art Cabinet), which was delivered to its purchaser, Duke Philip II of Pomerania-Stettin, in 1617.
Hainhofer married Regina Waiblinger on October 29th 1601, and moved with her from Fuggerplatz in Augsburg to Annaplatz (now Martin-Luther-Platz 3), where his chancery, art chamber, and library were located. His house was furnished in such a way that, throughout the following years, he was able to receive princes and kings in a manner befitting their status and to present them with extremely valuable gifts.
The couple had a total of seven children. After two daughters, Barbara and Judith, Regina was born in 1608. She was named after her mother, and her godfather's name was Lucas Geizkofler. The latter was probably Lucas Geizkofler von Reiffenegg (1550 - 1620), born in Sterzing in Tyrol. He was a lawyer by trade with a degree and doctorate who worked at the Imperial Chamber Courts in Speyer, Dole and Strasbourg before settling in Augsburg and entering the service of the Fuggers.
Literature
Cf. cat. Wenzel Jamnitzer und die Nürnberger Goldschmiedekunst 1500 - 1700, Munich 1985, no. 523. For more on Hainhofer see Emmendörfer/Trepesch (ed.), Wunderwelt. Der Pommersche Kunstschrank, Berlin-Munich 2014, p. 33 ff. For Geizkofler see Linsbauer, Lukas Geizkofler und seine Selbstbiographie, online publication of the Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum, Innsbruck.