Christian Gonzenbach

Kaiserhuus

Kaiserhuus, 2007

Porcelain, glaze, mother of pearl

Molded from pelvis and vertebrae of a giraffe, the glazed ceramic casts with mother-of-pearl application create a kind of prehistoric pearl necklace, something that Fred Flinstone might have given to his wife Wilma as a gift. The practice of using dead animals and animal parts – from antlers to ivory – as decorations and adornments is nothing new. They are prized and possessed as indications of wealth and victory.