Cup thumbnail 1
Cup thumbnail 2
+3
images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Silver, Room 67, The Whiteley Galleries

Cup

1863-1864 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Colour is introduced onto this drinking cup through the inclusion of semi-precious stones, and a band of cameos and gems. Despite their use here, Burges claimed to dislike faceted gems, preferring the medieval style of cabochons (unfaceted stones encased in boxes). He described those as follows: 'these strips of jewels, and enamels and filigree are the great key to the decorations of jewellery of the Middle Ages'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver, parcel-gilt, set with applied ornament and enamelled
Dimensions
  • Height: 12.00cm
  • Width: 11.00cm
  • Weight: 384.1g
Marks and inscriptions
  • Maker: CH (Charles Hart for Joseph Hart and Son, date H, duty, sterling.) On nut: maker, sterling
  • Inscribed: OMNIS.MUNDI.CREATURA.QUASI. LIBER.ET.PICTURA.NOBIS.EST.ET.SPECULUM (on rim); I.N.MAA.ANO.DNI. MDCCCLXIII (round knob); NOSTRAE.VITAE.NOSTRAE.MORTIS.NOSTRI.STATUS.NOSTRAE.SORTIS.FIDELE. SIGNACULUM (round the bottom)
    Translation
    This is a kind of book, picture or mirror of all the creatures of the world"; "A faithful expression of our life, our death, our status, our type/class
  • Letters on central medal: KRAKAN
Object history
Made for James Nicholson (Burges' patron)
Inscribed: OMNIS MUNDI CREATURA QUASI LIBER ET PICTURA NOBIS EST ET SPECULUM; I.N MAA ANO. DNI. MDCCCLXIII; NOSTRAE VITAE NOSTRAE MORTIS NOSTRI STATUS NOSTRAE SORTIS FIDELE SIGNACULUM ("This is a kind of book, picture or mirror of all the creatures of the world"; "A faithful expression of our life, our death, our status, our type/class"). Colour is introduced onto this drinking cup through the inclusion of semi-precious stones, and a band of cameos and gems. Despite their use here, Burges claimed to dislike facetted gems, preferring the medieval style of "cabochons" (unfacetted stones encased in boxes). He described those as follows: "these strips of jewels, and enamels and filigree are the great key to the decorations of jewellery of the Middle Ages".
Summary
Colour is introduced onto this drinking cup through the inclusion of semi-precious stones, and a band of cameos and gems. Despite their use here, Burges claimed to dislike faceted gems, preferring the medieval style of cabochons (unfaceted stones encased in boxes). He described those as follows: 'these strips of jewels, and enamels and filigree are the great key to the decorations of jewellery of the Middle Ages'.
Bibliographic reference
Eric Turner An Introduction to English Silver from 1660, London, HMSO, 1985 p.32 ill. ISBN 0880450770
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.858-1956

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 createdMarch 3, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest