Description

A rare and impressive antique silver standing cup and cover of baluster shape with lobed foot. Large size. The waisted, lobed body is chased with fleur-de-lys and scrolls on a finely matted background. The top has a silver vase of flowers finial. This form is typical of German Renaissance banqueting silver cups and the quality is excellent.

Contains 500 ml.

Weight 611 grams, 19.6 troy ounces.

Height – 40 cm (total), 29.5 cm (cup). Diameter of top 10.6 cm.

Stamped by the rim and on the foot with the German town mark “W” possibly Breslau.

Makers mark “WO” unidentified.

Circa 1640.

Literature. Decorative standing cups and covers were mostly made for display on the buffet and were sometimes supplied in sets of three. The buffet of plate was an important feature of medieval and Renaissance banquets. The buffets usually stood at the side of a dining room, their shelves filled with tablewares. Gold and silver vessels were displayed to convey a sense of the owner’s wealth. Normally these vessels were used for the service of food and drink, but on great state occasions they would be set out purely for display.