A nef is an extravagant table ornament and container used in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, made of precious metals in the shape of a ship – nef was another word for a carrack in French. If not just used for decoration, it could hold salt or spices (the latter being very expensive in the Middle Ages), or cutlery, or even napkins. The large nef depicted in the well-known calendar miniature for January from the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry is being used to hold, and perhaps wash, gilt dishes from the table service.[1]
Nefs are recorded in France as early as 1239,[2] initially consisting of just the hull, and perhaps initially used to drink from; by the 14th century the most elaborate had masts, sails and even crew, and had become too crowded with such details to be used as containers for anything. The so-called Mechanical Galleon in the British Museum is a late 16th-century German nef which was also a clock and automaton, with moving figures and music.
A nef was usually made of silver, silver-gilt or gold, often further embellished with enamel and jewels. A nautilus shell often formed the hull of the ship, as in the Burghley Nef (illustrated). Some nefs had wheels to allow them to be rolled from one end of the table to the other, but most had legs or pedestals. The nef was placed in front of the most important person at table as a mark of their status.
The equivalent in religious plate is a navicula, Latin for small ship, and also a term in English for a boat-shaped incense-holder.[3]
Campbell, Gordon, ed. (2006). The Grove Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts, Volume 1. Oxford University Press. ISBN0-19-518948-5.
Lightbown, R. W. (1978). Secular Goldsmith's Work in Medieval France: A History. London: Society of Antiquaries of London. ISBN0500990271.
Steele, Philip (1995). Castles. New York: Kingfisher. p. 36. ISBN1-85697-547-9.
Further readingedit
Oman, Charles (1963). Medieval Silver Nefs. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
Truman, Charles (1989). "Ships on Board". Country Life, vol. 183, no. 38: 218-221.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nefs (metalwork).
Nefs in the Middle Ages and Renaissance Links to nefs in museums, as well as medieval illustrations of nefs, demonstrating the range of uses for pre-17th century nefs.
November 27, 2023
metalwork, extravagant, table, ornament, container, used, middle, ages, renaissance, made, precious, metals, shape, ship, another, word, carrack, french, just, used, decoration, could, hold, salt, spices, latter, being, very, expensive, middle, ages, cutlery, . A nef is an extravagant table ornament and container used in the Middle Ages and Renaissance made of precious metals in the shape of a ship nef was another word for a carrack in French If not just used for decoration it could hold salt or spices the latter being very expensive in the Middle Ages or cutlery or even napkins The large nef depicted in the well known calendar miniature for January from the Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry is being used to hold and perhaps wash gilt dishes from the table service 1 Three nefs on the table as Charles V of France hosts Charles IV Holy Roman Emperor and his son Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia in 1378 They are watching a floor show re enacting the taking of Jerusalem Nefs are recorded in France as early as 1239 2 initially consisting of just the hull and perhaps initially used to drink from by the 14th century the most elaborate had masts sails and even crew and had become too crowded with such details to be used as containers for anything The so called Mechanical Galleon in the British Museum is a late 16th century German nef which was also a clock and automaton with moving figures and music Calendar miniature for January from the Tres Riches Heures du Duc de BerryA nef was usually made of silver silver gilt or gold often further embellished with enamel and jewels A nautilus shell often formed the hull of the ship as in the Burghley Nef illustrated Some nefs had wheels to allow them to be rolled from one end of the table to the other but most had legs or pedestals The nef was placed in front of the most important person at table as a mark of their status The equivalent in religious plate is a navicula Latin for small ship and also a term in English for a boat shaped incense holder 3 Gallery of decorative nefs edit nbsp Schlusselfelder Ship Germany c 1503 nbsp The Burghley Nef silver gilt with sections ungilded and nautilus shell 1527 28 France V amp A Museum nbsp Detail from the so called Mechanical Galleon in the British Museum Germany c 1585See also editSchlusselfelder ShipNotes edit Campbell 2006 p 412 Lightbown 1978 p 3 OED Navicula 3 References editCampbell Gordon ed 2006 The Grove Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts Volume 1 Oxford University Press ISBN 0 19 518948 5 Lightbown R W 1978 Secular Goldsmith s Work in Medieval France A History London Society of Antiquaries of London ISBN 0500990271 Steele Philip 1995 Castles New York Kingfisher p 36 ISBN 1 85697 547 9 Further reading editOman Charles 1963 Medieval Silver Nefs London Her Majesty s Stationery Office Truman Charles 1989 Ships on Board Country Life vol 183 no 38 218 221 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nefs metalwork Nefs in the Middle Ages and Renaissance Links to nefs in museums as well as medieval illustrations of nefs demonstrating the range of uses for pre 17th century nefs Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nef metalwork amp oldid 1125383624, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
