The Last Supper thumbnail 1
The Last Supper thumbnail 2
+4
images
Not currently on display at the V&A

The Last Supper

Beaker
ca. 1850 (made)
Artist/Maker
Leopold Lichtenschopf (maker)
Place of origin
Netherlands (made)

Ivory was a luxury material, and in style and form this large beaker and cover dating from the early 19th century are relatively unusual. It is reminiscent of vessels made during the baroque era, and the religious subject on the main body, 'The Last Supper', recalls liturgical objects. It was probably made as a historicising piece, purely for ornamental purposes. Given the source for the figurative composition, and the style of carving, the ivory is likely to be Netherlandish.

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
Containers
Household Objects
Object type
Beaker
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Beaker
  • Cover
TitleThe Last Supper (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved ivory and Chased gilded silver (silver-gilt) mounts
Ivory
Silver-Gilt
Gilding
Carved
Chasing
Brief description
Beaker, ivory and silver-gilt mounts, lidded, depiciting the Last Supper, perhaps Netherlandish, ca. 1850, mounts in the style of Leopold Lichtenschopf, probably 1850
Physical description
Silver-gilt and ivory beaker of tapering cylindrical form, the beaker carved with a scene of the Last Supper in an architectural setting on a lobed base. The cover is fluted with a bud finial and is engraved with a combined coat of arms.
Within the scene a woman stands at one side holdinga a lantern and pointing towards the main group of Christ and the Apostles, who are seated at the table. On the other side a boy stands with a basket. A chandelier hangs above the main group, and candles are seen elsewhere. Curtains are draped around an interior architectural setting og high arches. Above the main arch is inscribed a Latin inscription.
The silver-gilt base and the lid are each marked 'CB'. Under the base is also the mark 'LL' under a star, with a shield. A double coat of arms is engraved on top of the gilt metal lid, as yet unidentified.
Dimensions
  • Ivory alone height: 38.8cmcm
  • Beaker height: 42cm
  • Lid height: 13.5cm
  • Lid diameter: 16.2cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • mark 'CB' (on rim of lid only)
    Translation
    Prague tax mark (Repunzierungszeichen), used for medium sized silver work, 1806-1824, used for old and new work; see: Rohrwasser, Alfred. Österreichs Punzen. Edelmetall-Punzierung in Österreich von 1524 bis 1987. Perchtoldsdorf: Verlag Bondi, 1987, 2nd edition. P. 66
  • Prague (Kleinseite) mark (on base of foot next to maker's mark)
    Translation
    Probably between 1730-1777, compare: Rohrwasser, Alfred. Österreichs Punzen. Edelmetall-Punzierung in Österreich von 1524 bis 1987. Perchtoldsdorf: Verlag Bondi, 1987, 2nd edition. P. 66
  • 'LL' above star in heart-shaped shield (on the silver-gilt and base)
    Translation
    maker's mark, attributed to Leopold Lichtenschopf
  • 'BIBITE EX HOC OMNES' (Above the main arch inscribed. )
    Translation
    Drink ye all of it (King James Version) Drink from it, all of you (New International Version)
    Transliteration
    Bible, New Testament, Matthew 26:27 These words, spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper, are used as part of the words of consecration in Christian eucharistic liturgies.
  • Combined coat of arms on lid (None of the two coat of arms appears to be included in the chapter on Bohemian nobility in Siebmachers Wappenbuch. )
Credit line
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Object history
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Christie's, Amsterdam, 1992, bought by Timothy Schroder for Partridge's, London; sold to Arthur Gilbert in 1993.
Subjects depicted
Boy
Basket
Woman
Table
Chandelier
Candles
Curtains
Arches
Christ
Apostles
Literary referenceThe Last Supper
Summary
Ivory was a luxury material, and in style and form this large beaker and cover dating from the early 19th century are relatively unusual. It is reminiscent of vessels made during the baroque era, and the religious subject on the main body, 'The Last Supper', recalls liturgical objects. It was probably made as a historicising piece, purely for ornamental purposes. Given the source for the figurative composition, and the style of carving, the ivory is likely to be Netherlandish.

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.
Bibliographic references
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013 p. 450
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013, p. 450, cat. no. 494
Other numbers
  • SG 290 - Arthur Gilbert Number
  • SG 189 - Arthur Gilbert Number
Collection
Metalwork Collection
Accession number
LOAN:GILBERT.52:1-2008

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 26, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O157904/the-last-supper-beaker-leopold-lichtenschopf/
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest