 The "Maltese Falcon" itself is said to have been inspired by the  "Kniphausen Hawk," a ceremonial pouring vessel made in 1697 for  George William von Kniphausen, Count of the Holy Roman Empire. It is  modeled after a hawk perched on a rock and is encrusted with red  garnets, amethysts, emeralds and blue sapphires. The vessel is  currently owned by the Duke of Devonshire and is part of the  Chatsworth collection.