Covered Cup in Shape of Ewer
ca. 1600
Rock crystal and silver.
30.3 cm (height)
Thyssen-Bornemisza Collections, on deposit at the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
Inv. no. (
DEC1244
)
In 1969 the cup was in the Gallería Jürg Stuker in Berne, where it was acquired by Hans Heinrich for his collection. It is known to have been displayed at the ducal museum of Gotha during the 19th century while it belonged to the collection of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. It is designed as two pieces that fit into a silver band in the centre: when they are taken apart the lower piece becomes a cup. The artist engraved the surface of both parts with scroll decoration. The handle, a later addition, takes the form of a monster with a monkey’s head and a dragon’s body. The type of engraving and the ornamental motif have been linked to objects produced in Milanese workshops around 1600.