Standing Cup
1680-1699 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Silver mounted trochus shells, polished to reveal the iridescent mother of pearl, were highly prized additions to a collector's cabinet in the 16th and 17th centuries. With their evocation of 'exotic' far-flung lands, shells were often made into impressive standing cups, as here, to dazzle on the sideboard rather than to use. The engraving on this shell has been added in the 19th century.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, parcel-gilt and trochus shell |
| Brief description | Standing cup, Trochus shell mounted on figure on bell shaped foot, possibly made in Nuremberg, 1680-1699 |
| Physical description | Trochus shell mounted on figure on bell shaped foot |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Unique |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'IR' (Maker's mark) |
| Credit line | George Mitchell Bequest |
| Object history | Decoration of shell appears to be later. Label info: Trochus shell, polished to reveal the iridescent mother of pearl, was a popular component on the 16th and 17th-century collector's cabinet. The engraving is from the 19th century. |
| Production | Maker's mark IR, unidentified |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Silver mounted trochus shells, polished to reveal the iridescent mother of pearl, were highly prized additions to a collector's cabinet in the 16th and 17th centuries. With their evocation of 'exotic' far-flung lands, shells were often made into impressive standing cups, as here, to dazzle on the sideboard rather than to use. The engraving on this shell has been added in the 19th century. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 276-1878 |
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| Record created | February 9, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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