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Not currently on display at the V&A

Cup

1480-90 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is probably a hunting cup. The sleeping dog in the centre was a common symbol of the end of the chase.
The cup combines gothic stylistic motifs, such as the lobes surrounding the centre, with flower garlands that are more typical of the Renaissance style. This fusion of styles is typical for Venetian objects of the late fifteenth century and can also be seen on ceramics.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver and partially-gilded (parcel-gilt) silver, embossed and chased
Brief description
Silver and partially gilded (parcel-gilt) cup; Venice, ca.1480-90
Physical description
A silver and parcel-gilt cup, possibly a hunting cup or a wine-tasting cup. In the base is chased a sleeping hound within a lobed border. The cup has an upturned rim which is embossed with floral swags and a band of beading.
Dimensions
  • Height: 3.2cm
  • Diameter: 13.4cm
  • Weight: 120g
Measurements checked by Issy Warnham 20/12/23
Marks and inscriptions
  • Turin control marks, 18th century
  • Venice town mark (on rim of bowl)
  • L.G. (Engraved on base)
Gallery label
(Gallery 70, case 1) 6. Hunting cup with sleeping dog 1480–90 Venice, Italy Partially gilded silver Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.544-2008(16/11/2016)
Credit line
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Object history
Provenance: Sale, Christie's, lot. 18, March 6, 1991.
Summary
This is probably a hunting cup. The sleeping dog in the centre was a common symbol of the end of the chase.
The cup combines gothic stylistic motifs, such as the lobes surrounding the centre, with flower garlands that are more typical of the Renaissance style. This fusion of styles is typical for Venetian objects of the late fifteenth century and can also be seen on ceramics.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Bibliographic reference
Chapman, Martin. The Gilbert Collection of Gold and Silver. Recent Acquisitions 2. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1991, cat. no. H.
Other numbers
  • SG 280 - Arthur Gilbert Number
  • 1996.163 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
  • SG 173AB - Arthur Gilbert Number
Collection
Accession number
LOAN:GILBERT.544-2008

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Record createdJune 19, 2008
Record URL
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