Ewer
1340-1350 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Rock crystal was a very expensive and delicate material, and objects of a comparable clarity rare. Rock crystal was favoured for vessels because of its transparency and the belief that it would reveal the presence of poison. The precious mounts of silver and enamel show Gothic ornament and motifs similar to contemporary architecture, such as pointed arches or the spout in the shape of a dragon- mouthed gargoyle. These were in the latest courtly fashion of the period.
Whether the jug was originally intended for church or secular use is not known. During the 19th century it was generally regarded as ecclesiastical cruet, though it is more likely that it is a secular object used for representation of status at the table.
Whether the jug was originally intended for church or secular use is not known. During the 19th century it was generally regarded as ecclesiastical cruet, though it is more likely that it is a secular object used for representation of status at the table.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Rock crystal, with gilt-silver and enamel |
| Brief description | Pear-shaped rock crystal ewer with silver-gilt mounts |
| Physical description | The crystal ewer pear-shaped and twelve-sided, with triangular handle and twelve-sided domed lid; six-lobed foot, each lobe of ogee outline, rim of foot separately cast and decorated with band of beading; the neck encircled by metal neck, lower part engraved with two bands of arcades of pointed arches and fleur-de-lys motifs, spout in the shape of a gargoyle; upper part of handle formed by a horse-shoe decorated on the upper side with a band of scrolling foliage in blue and red enamel; lid hinged to handle by a couble acorn thumb-piece, topped by an elaborate finial of stylised leaves and foliage. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | EWER
Rock crystal, mounted in silver, engraved, parcel-gilt and enamelled
French; around 1350
Rock crystal was greatly valued in the medieval period for its brilliant clarity and supposed ability to detect poison. A ewer such as this would probably have been used only on important ceremonial occasions. |
| Object history | Purchased from Henry Durlacher, 1864 Henry Durlacher, London, exhibited in June 1862 at the Loan Exhibition at South Kensington Museum) Van Cuyck, Paris, purchased at Debruge-Duménil sale, April 1861 First recorded in the Debruge-Duménil Collection, 1847 |
| Historical context | The rock crystal was considered an 11th century Egyptian piece by C. Lamm who doubted the authenticity of the mounts based upon the date of the crystal jug. This opinion has been challenged ever since, e.g. by R.W. Lightbown. Lightbown mentions a comparable rock crystal pot listed in the 1380 inventory of Louis d'Anjou. Sadly this object does not survive. Some stylistically comparable ewers are in international collections: Copenhagen, Nationalmuseet, Ewer, silver-gilt and enamel, Paris 1333; Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Kunstkammer, Ewer, rock-crystal and silver-gilt, mid 14th century, inv. no. 9051(Prov.: Basel Cathedral Treasure); New York, Metropolitan Museum, Ewer, jasper and silver-gilt, mid 14th century. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Rock crystal was a very expensive and delicate material, and objects of a comparable clarity rare. Rock crystal was favoured for vessels because of its transparency and the belief that it would reveal the presence of poison. The precious mounts of silver and enamel show Gothic ornament and motifs similar to contemporary architecture, such as pointed arches or the spout in the shape of a dragon- mouthed gargoyle. These were in the latest courtly fashion of the period. Whether the jug was originally intended for church or secular use is not known. During the 19th century it was generally regarded as ecclesiastical cruet, though it is more likely that it is a secular object used for representation of status at the table. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 15-1864 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | November 11, 2008 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
