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The Fairfax Cup
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The Fairfax Cup
- Object:
Beaker with box, leather bag and inscription
- Place of origin:
Venice, Italy (made)
- Date:
late 15th century (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Unknown (production)
- Materials and Techniques:
[Box cover] Wood
[Manuscript] Paper - Museum number:
C.17 to D-1959
- Gallery location:
Glass, room 131, case 7, shelf 1
Physical description
[Beaker] Turquoise beaker enamelled with three (possibly four) figures in green, blue, white and yellow. White spotted background. Gilded bands around top and bottom.
Place of Origin
Venice, Italy (made)
Date
late 15th century (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
[Box cover] Wood
[Manuscript] Paper
Marks and inscriptions
[Box cover] arms of Baron Belasyse of Worlay, Linconshire
[Manuscript] 'In this bag is the Antient Cup of our Familye putt into this bagg, August the 21 1694, by me C FFairfax'
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 [2008]
Materials
Glass
Techniques
Gilding; Enamelled
Subjects depicted
Pyramus; Thisbe
Categories
Glass
Collection code
CER
