The Fairfax Cup

Physical description

Turquoise beaker enamelled with three (possibly four) figures in green, blue, white and yellow. White spotted background. Gilded bands around top and bottom. [beaker]

Place of Origin

Venice

Date

late 15th century [beaker] (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown

Materials and Techniques

Wood [box cover]
Paper [manuscript]
Wood [box]
Turquoise glass, enamelled and gilded [beaker]

Marks and inscriptions

"arms of Baron Belasyse of Worlay, Linconshire" applied seal [box cover]
"'In this bag is the Antient Cup of our Familye putt into this bagg, August the 21 1694, by me C FFairfax'" Inscription; decoration; on paper; 21/08/1694 [manuscript]

Descriptive line

Turquoise glass beaker, enamelled and gilt, and painted with version of story of Pyramus and Thisbe. Also, leather bag, with inscription and wooden box.

Labels and date

THE FAIRFAX CUP
About 1475-1500

Opaque turquoise glass seems to have been very rare: only three pieces are known to survive. This cup shows enamelled scenes from the story of Pyramus and Thisbe from classical mythology. The story develops from left to right, ending with Pyramus falling on his sword, fearing Thisbe to have been eaten by a lion.

Italy, Venice

Enamelled and gilded glass

Formerly in the possession of the Fairfax family, Yorkshire

Museum no. C.17-1959 [beaker]

Materials

Glass

Techniques

Gilding; Enamelled

Subjects depicted

Pyramus; Thisbe; Cup painted with a version of the story of Pyramus and Thisbe, from Ovid's book of Metamorphoses IV

Categories

Glass

Collection code

CER