Flagon

Physical description

Cylindrical tankard, raised, embossed, chased, handle and thumb-piece cast, scrollwork under hinged lid with rooster finial holding a shield, the body with medallions depicting Madonna and child, Mercury and one other figure.

Place of Origin

Hungary (made)

Date

1605 (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown

Materials and Techniques

Silver-gilt, raised, embossed and chased

Marks and inscriptions

"Shield with SH on top over coat of arms, dated 1605"
"On rim: NH struck twice, 89 scratched on base"

Dimensions

Diameter: 16.00 cm (base)
Height: 32.00 cm
Length: 19.00 cm (with handle)

Object history note

Repairs to lid recorded in register from 1864-65

Labels and date

Silver Gallery:
This powerfully embossed flagon is decorated with figures of the Roman gods Diana (with dog and spear) and Mercury (with winged feet and caduceus) and the Christian allegorical figure of Charity (with two children). It is possible that the flagon was originally one of a pair, the other of which might have helped to unify the apparently unconnected decoration. During the early 17th century many goldsmiths from Augsburg and elsewhere settled in the prosperous ethnically German area of modern Hungary known as Siebenburgen (the 'seven towns').

Attribution Note

Maker NH, unidentified

Categories

Drinking; Metalwork

Collection code

MET