Beaker thumbnail 1
Beaker thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Beaker

1600-1625 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The three enamelled scenes depict tales of love from classical mythology, including the story of Andromeda and Perseus. Perseus saved Andromeda from the attack of a sea monster; Pyramus and Thisbe were young doomed lovers.

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Schatzkammer is one of the few collections of its kind formed in the late 20th century. The Schatzkammer, or treasury, was a new concept in the 16th century. It referred to a special chamber in which the most precious artefacts of a princely collection were housed. Gold and jewelled objects were mounted alongside exotic natural curiosities, including rock crystal, nautilus shells and ostrich eggs. Together they demonstrated not only the wonders of nature and the technical achievements of the artist, but also the intellect and culture of the patron.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gold and enamel
Brief description
Gold and enamel beaker, Europe, 1600-25.
Physical description
Gold and enamel beaker of tapered cylindrical form with three enamel vignettes of mythological scenes, the body covered with polychrome enamel insects and flowers. The scenes depicted are: Perseus and Andromeda; Pryamus and Thisbe; and possibly that of Marcus Curtius.
Dimensions
  • Height: 10.4cm
  • Diameter: 9cm
  • Weight: 320g
Measured 19/02/24 IW
Gallery label
(Gallery 70, case 6) 9. Beaker with classical scenes 1620–25 The three enamelled scenes on this beaker depict love stories from classical mythology, including the tale of Perseus and Andromeda. Where the enamel has been lost from the surface, it is possible to see where the ground has been roughened or engraved, in preparation for enamelling. Northern Europe Gold with enamel Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.28-2008(16/11/2016)
Credit line
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Object history
Provenance
Acquired by Arthur Gilbert from S.J. Phillips Ltd, London, 1993.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The three enamelled scenes depict tales of love from classical mythology, including the story of Andromeda and Perseus. Perseus saved Andromeda from the attack of a sea monster; Pyramus and Thisbe were young doomed lovers.

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Schatzkammer is one of the few collections of its kind formed in the late 20th century. The Schatzkammer, or treasury, was a new concept in the 16th century. It referred to a special chamber in which the most precious artefacts of a princely collection were housed. Gold and jewelled objects were mounted alongside exotic natural curiosities, including rock crystal, nautilus shells and ostrich eggs. Together they demonstrated not only the wonders of nature and the technical achievements of the artist, but also the intellect and culture of the patron.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Other numbers
  • SG 289 - Arthur Gilbert Number
  • 1996.712 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
  • SG 189 - Arthur Gilbert Number
Collection
Accession number
LOAN:GILBERT.28-2008

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Record createdJune 19, 2008
Record URL
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