Cup
1770 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The Neo-classical passion for engraved gems and cameos is expressed in this cup made from a nautilus shell. It was mounted with engraved gems, including copies of famous stones, for the last king of Poland, Stanislaus Augustus, in 1770. The central intaglio on the shell is a copy in blue glass of Diomedes stealing the palladium (the Felix Gem in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford).
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Nautilus shell mounted in gold set with onyx, chalcedony and glass intaglios and one cameo. The central intaglio on the shell is blue glass |
Brief description | Nautilus shell cup mounted in gold set with onyx, chalcedony, glass intaglios and one cameo. The central intaglio on the shell is a copy in blue glass of Diomedes stealing the Palladium. Made by Jean Martin and dated 1770 , Poland (Warsaw) |
Physical description | cup made from nautilus shell mounted in gold set with sardonyx, chalcedony and paste (glass) intaglios, and one layered agate cameo, the base and cover mother of pearl, signed 'J.MARTIN FAIT A VARSOVIELE 26 AOUT 1770', Poland (Warsaw), 1770 |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | 'J.MARTIN FAIT A VARSOVIE LE 26 AOUT 1770' (Signed) |
Credit line | Given by Mrs Carew from the Faquhar Matheson Collection |
Object history | Historical significance: The cup is one of Jean Martin's first commissions for King Stanislaus Augustus (1769-1791) as Court Jeweller in Warsaw between 1769-91. It is recorded in the royal accounts as having been ordered in 1770 and was clearly designed as a vehicle for displaying cameos. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | The Neo-classical passion for engraved gems and cameos is expressed in this cup made from a nautilus shell. It was mounted with engraved gems, including copies of famous stones, for the last king of Poland, Stanislaus Augustus, in 1770. The central intaglio on the shell is a copy in blue glass of Diomedes stealing the palladium (the Felix Gem in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford). |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.281-1921 |
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Record created | June 7, 2005 |
Record URL |
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