Beaker and Cover thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Silver, Room 69, The Whiteley Galleries

Beaker and Cover

ca. 1470 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The lid of this beaker is surmounted by a hairy wild man clutching a club and shield. This mythical creature was believed to live in woodlands. His enormous strength helped him ward off demons.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Beaker
  • Lid
Materials and techniques
Enamelled silver gilt
Brief description
Beaker, gilded silver, enamelled, Germany, ca. 1470
Physical description
Plain cup resting on three lions, pierced belt of oak leaves and acorns on body, the cover with two perforated borders of strawberry leaves and Gothic tracery with wild man and club, enamelled boss of two birds and flower inside lid.
Dimensions
  • Height: 27.4cm
  • Length: 10cm
  • Width: 9.5cm
Gallery label
  • COVERED BEAKER Silver-gilt, with silver decoration, the print decorated with enamel GERMAN. Unmarked, About 1475 (Bernal Collection) 2114-1855(Pre-2000)
  • Silver Gallery: The lid of this beaker is surmounted by a hairy wild man clutching a club and shield. This mythical creature was believed to live in woodlands. His enormous strength helped him ward off demons.(26/11/2002)
Object history
There may originally have been enamelled bosses on the encircling band around the body, and also at the bottom in place of the flowers.
Summary
The lid of this beaker is surmounted by a hairy wild man clutching a club and shield. This mythical creature was believed to live in woodlands. His enormous strength helped him ward off demons.
Bibliographic reference
Lightbown, R. W., Durer and the Goldsmiths Art. Apollo, July 1971
Collection
Accession number
2114:1, 2-1855

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 Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis.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 createdFebruary 20, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest