Detail of a Handstein in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, February 2020

Title: Handstein

Date: ca. 1740

Culture: Hungarian, Urvology (formerly Herrengrund)

Medium: Wood, silver, gold, copper, minerals (pyrite, quartz, amethyst, etc.), glass

Dimensions: 14 15/16 × 16 1/8 × 12 3/8 in., 20.7 lb. (38 × 41 × 31.5 cm, 9.4 kg)

Classification: Metalwork

Credit Line: Mining History Document Center, German Mining Museum Bochum


Mining was a lucrative industry for the early modern rulers of central Europe. Princes held hereditary rights (Bergregal) to mine on their lands, which they granted to others in exchange for taxes. From the beginning of the sixteenth century, Handsteine (hand stones) composed of extraordinary pieces of ore were given to rulers by the miners working their territory as evidence of the riches bestowed by God. This example cradles miniature silver-mine shafts and ore-processing workshops. The engraved glass elements, which may have held condiments or flowers, suggest that it demonstrated the success of Hungarian mining enterprises to banquet guests.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/778703