Tankard with the Judgement of Paris
Tankard
ca. 1620 (made)
ca. 1620 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Ivory was a particularly luxurious material in the 17th century, and princely collections often featured ivory tankards. Augsburg was the leading centre of production for such pieces. The goldsmiths probably subcontracted the carving of the ivory to local sculptors. This example is decorated with the mythological scene of the Judgment of Paris. Paris, a Trojan Prince, was asked which of three Greek Goddesses was the most beautiful. He chose Aphrodite, who have him the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen, as a reward.
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Schatzkammer is one of the few collections of its kind formed in the late 20th century. The Schatzkammer, or treasury, was a new concept in the 16th century. It referred to a special chamber in which the most precious artefacts of a princely collection were housed. Gold and jewelled objects were mounted alongside exotic natural curiosities, including rock crystal, nautilus shells and ostrich eggs. Together they demonstrated not only the wonders of nature and the technical achievements of the artist, but also the intellect and culture of the patron.
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.
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Schatzkammer is one of the few collections of its kind formed in the late 20th century. The Schatzkammer, or treasury, was a new concept in the 16th century. It referred to a special chamber in which the most precious artefacts of a princely collection were housed. Gold and jewelled objects were mounted alongside exotic natural curiosities, including rock crystal, nautilus shells and ostrich eggs. Together they demonstrated not only the wonders of nature and the technical achievements of the artist, but also the intellect and culture of the patron.
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 | |
Parts | This object consists of 4 parts.
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Title | Tankard with the Judgement of Paris (named collection) |
Materials and techniques | Carved ivory with gilded silver (silver-gilt) and silver |
Brief description | Tankard, silver, parcel-gilt and ivory, with the Judgement of Paris, Germany (Augsburg), ca.1650, mounts with mark of Philipp Jakob I Drentwett, ivory figures and drum work perhaps by an artist in the circle of David Heschler |
Physical description | An ivory tankard of cylindrical form entirely carved in deep relief with a frieze of classical figures with silver-gilt mounts, applied with silver decoration. The tankard rests on a relatively plain polished silver-gilt stepped foot, which ungulates around the base, and has five silver winged mounts. The ivory body of the tankard terminates, at the top and bottom, in a pierced silver-gilt foliate strap. A plain polished silver-gilt rim ends the body of the tankard, mimicking aesthetically the foot. The flat cover has six putti carved in ivory surrounding a female figure as a finial. The highly ornate S-scroll handle has a herm at its largest curve. The thumbpiece is a silver-gilt S-scroll. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions |
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Gallery label | (Gallery 70, case 6)
10. Tankard with Judgement of Paris
About 1640
Ivory was already a particularly luxurious
material in the 17th century, and aristocratic
collections often featured ivory tankards.
Augsburg was the leading centre of
production for such pieces. Goldsmiths
normally subcontracted the carving of ivory
to local sculptors.
Augsburg, Germany; mounts by Philipp Jacob Drentwett I (or III), ivory
carving possibly circle of David Heschler (1611–67)
Ivory and partially gilded silver
Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.53:1, 2-2008(16/11/2016) |
Credit line | The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London |
Object history | Bought from the Kenneth Davis (Works of Art) Ltd., King Street, London in 1989; The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | Ivory was a particularly luxurious material in the 17th century, and princely collections often featured ivory tankards. Augsburg was the leading centre of production for such pieces. The goldsmiths probably subcontracted the carving of the ivory to local sculptors. This example is decorated with the mythological scene of the Judgment of Paris. Paris, a Trojan Prince, was asked which of three Greek Goddesses was the most beautiful. He chose Aphrodite, who have him the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen, as a reward. The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Schatzkammer is one of the few collections of its kind formed in the late 20th century. The Schatzkammer, or treasury, was a new concept in the 16th century. It referred to a special chamber in which the most precious artefacts of a princely collection were housed. Gold and jewelled objects were mounted alongside exotic natural curiosities, including rock crystal, nautilus shells and ostrich eggs. Together they demonstrated not only the wonders of nature and the technical achievements of the artist, but also the intellect and culture of the patron. 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 references |
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Other numbers |
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Collection | |
Accession number | LOAN:GILBERT.53:1 to 3-2008 |
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Record created | June 26, 2008 |
Record URL |
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