Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Silver, Room 69, The Whiteley Galleries

Cup and Cover

1615-1620 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Michael Müllner was a highly successful Nuremberg master. Together with others such as Hans Petzold, he played a leading role in the revival of the Gothic style in the early 17th century. Although the swirling lobes are typical of the 15th-century Gothic style, the date of the cup is betrayed by the etched ornament around the lip. The cover of this cup is a little too wide for the cup; it is possible that there was originally a pair of cups and that the covers were accidentally switched.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Cups
  • Lid
Materials and techniques
Silver-gilt
Brief description
Covered cup decorated with late Gothic lobes, silver-gilt, Michael Mullner, Nuremberg, 1615-1620
Physical description
Covered cup decorated with late Gothic lobes
Marks and inscriptions
  • Michael Mullner (Maker's identification; On base and rim)
  • Nuremburg, around 1615 (Town mark (Hallmark); On base and rim)
  • French 19th century control mark (On base and rim)
Gallery label
Silver Gallery: Michael Müllner was a highly successful Nuremberg master. Together with others such as Hans Petzold, he played a leading role in the revival of the gothic style in the early 17th century. Although the swirling lobes are typical of the 15th-century gothic style, the date of the cup is betrayed by the etched ornament around the lip. The cover of this cup is a little too wide for the cup; it is possible that there was originally a pair of cups and that the covers were accidentally switched.(26/11/2002)
Credit line
Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh
Object history
Despite its early 17th-century date, this cup is decorated with late Gothic lobes, a style which remained popular long after other Gothic ornament had vanished, and contrasts with the scrolled Renaissance foliage etched on the rim.
A similar example can be seen in the Waddesdon Bequest at the BM, see Waddesdon silver cat. no. 45.
TS: very good piece.
Summary
Michael Müllner was a highly successful Nuremberg master. Together with others such as Hans Petzold, he played a leading role in the revival of the Gothic style in the early 17th century. Although the swirling lobes are typical of the 15th-century Gothic style, the date of the cup is betrayed by the etched ornament around the lip. The cover of this cup is a little too wide for the cup; it is possible that there was originally a pair of cups and that the covers were accidentally switched.
Collection
Accession number
M.25:1, 2-1953

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Record createdFebruary 20, 2004
Record URL
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