The bottom shelf contains six objects illustrating the two ambassadors' wide range of knowledge and interests. From left to right, the objects include a terrestrial globe, an arithmetic book, a lute, a pair of compasses, an open hymnbook, and a case of flutes.
As always, Holbein has added precisely drawn details containing additional information about the ambassadors as well as clues about their mission. For example, the terrestrial globe represents geographic knowledge. If you look closely at the globe you can see the outline of Europe. Although you can't see it in this reproduction, Jean de Dinteville's (the ambassador on your left) estate at Polisy is carefully labeled.
Now take a close look at the lute. The lute is a symbol of music, one of the seven liberal arts. But it is also a traditional symbol of harmony. If you carefully examine the lute you can see that one of its strings is broken. The broken string may suggest the growing tension between Protestants and Catholics and the growing tension between Henry VIII and Pope Clement VIII, as described on the Top Shelf page. The broken string is also one of the four symbols Holbein painted to remind us of the transience of human affairs.
After examining the lute, direct your attention to the open hymnbook. The page on the left shows a hymn written by Martin Luther to praise God. The page on the right show the Ten Commandments. Why do you think Holbein opened the hymnbook to these pages? Some historians believe that Holbein selected Luther's hymn and the Ten Commandments because both express ideas common to all Christians. Perhaps Holbein is suggesting that the two ambassadors will appeal to Henry VIII to remember that the similarities among Christians far outweigh their differences. Do you think this appeal for harmony will work?
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