(b Nuremberg, 12 May 1563; d Nuremberg, 1618). Grandson of (1) Wenzel Jamnitzer I. He did not qualify as a master goldsmith until he was 29, having perhaps served his apprenticeship in the workshop of Hans Petzolt. There are records of his journey to Prague in 1609, and it is thought that he spent some time in Italy. While he mastered the Italian repertory of form, he preferred to use an idiom that was part neo-Gothic and part bizarrely exaggerated, both trends being popular in Nuremberg c. 1600 and after. Research has revealed that Christoph was a particularly fine draughtsman; c. 80 drawings can now be definitely ascribed to him, including pictures from family albums and designs for book illustrations, sculptural work, fountains, plaques and items made by goldsmiths. His best-known work is the Neuw Grottessken Buch (Nuremberg, 1610), a pattern-book of grotesque ornaments including mythological scenes, the Four Elements and the Four Seasons, enriched with many subtle cultural and contemporary allusions.

Part of the Jamnitzer family

• Jamnitzer, Christoph
  • Germany, §X, 2: Enamel
  • Jamnitzer
  • patrons and collectors
    • Czech Republic, §VIII, 1(ii): Gold and silver, 16th century–early 17th
  • works
    • Germany, §IX, 1(ii): Gold and silver, 1520–c 1700
    • Nuremberg, §III, 1: Centre of print production
    • Pattern book, §I, 2(i): Western: Decorative arts, after c 1440
    • Prints, §II, 1(ix): Subject-matter, before c 1700: Ornamental