Diorama of mining bottle
Matthew Buchinger (1674 - 1739)
Category
Models
Date
1719
Materials
Glass, Wood, Metal, Wax, Paper
Measurements
220 x 110 x 110 mm
Place of origin
Germany
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1333094.1
Caption
This remarkable glass bottle contains a busy scene. Tiny wooden figures wield tools and operate miniature mining machinery across two levels. A label on one side of the bottle reads ‘After October the 20 1719. This work in this bottle is mendet by me, Matthew Buchinger, born without hands or feet in Germany June the 3 1674.’ The construction of objects or dioramas inside glass bottles became popular in Europe in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Some of the earliest surviving bottles featured people, tools and mining scenes such as this one, which was collected by Charles Paget Wade (1883–1956). Later bottles featured religious symbols, tokens of faith and miniature ships. Matthew Buchinger (1674–1740), whose name appears on the bottle, was a German artist, magician and calligrapher. He gained particular fame for his dexterity, which he demonstrated in public performances, and for his micrography (illustrations consisting of very small text). This ‘whimsy bottle’ is an impressive creation and shows a great deal of skill.
Summary
Diorama of Mining within a square glass bottle. Bottle contains wooded miniature figures and mining tools on two levels showing surface and mine. Wooden stopper with glass seal. Label on one side reads: ‘After October the 20 1719. This work in this bottle is mendet by me, Matthew Buchinger, born without hands or feet in Germany June the 3 1674’. The wooden storage box (1333094.2/SNO.G.59.2) for this diorama is in Store.
Full description
Creating miniature dioramas and objects inside glass bottles was popular in Europe from the 18th century. As glass bottles were mass-produced and became easier to acquire, bottles with a variety of religious scenes, patriotic themes, nautical dioramas and scenes with people became common. Some of the earliest surviving bottles depict mining scenes, like this one at Snowshill. Over 140 mining bottles were recorded in a 1995 monograph by Peter Huber and Otto Fitz for the Austrian Museum of Folk Art, many originating in Hungary and Slovakia and dating to the 18th and 19th centuries. Typically, the mining scene takes place across two or three levels, with miners at the lowest level digging ore. In this example at Snowshill, a man at the second level uses a wheel to draw the ore up from the mine, while another miner sharpens a pile with an axe. The label in this bottle – and accompanying description on the box – states it was created by Matthew Buchinger in October 1719. Buchinger (1674–1740) was a talented German artist, gifted musician and renowned performer. He was born without hands or feet and came to England in the retinue of King George I in the unsuccessful hope of securing a pension. Handbills from 1716 onwards advertise his dexterity and magic tricks. He also produced portraits and was renowned for his calligraphy and micrography, or miniature writing. Close examine of a striking self-portrait drawn in 1724 reveals the curls of Buchinger’s wig are created out of miniature lines of Biblical text, including seven psalms.
Provenance
Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade.
Marks and inscriptions
...october y.20.1719. This Work in This Bottle/ is Maded by me Matthew Buchinger, born Without/ Hands or Feet in Germany..1674.
Makers and roles
Matthew Buchinger (1674 - 1739), maker