Silver, partly gilded, France (town mark for Orleans), 1575-1600.

Silver cup, partly gilded. It has a wide shallow bowl (the rim of which is gilded) and a baluster stem with a trumpet-shaped foot. The bowl has been repaired and there is a seam where the silver has been replaced. The earlier parts of the bowl show signs of corrosion on the exterior. The stem is gilded and engraved with strapwork and foliage and the foot (partly gilded) with similar ornament around the shield of arms. Three shields appear on the foot, above each shield appear initials: H, G and MN. Each shield is gilded, and inside are the following heraldic symbols: 2 horizontal crescents in the top right and left of each shield, a chevron containing a star and two branches of leaves, beneath the chevron, a heart. These are possibly the arms of the Bernard family.

Bought from S.J Phillips, 113 New Bond Street, London along with 393 to 396-1907.

According to Lightbown (see bibliography) this cup was tested at Goldsmiths' Hall in 1968 and the composition of silver was found to agree with a sixteenth century date. He does not state which part of the cup the sample was taken from. He notes without comment the difference in condition between the bowl (corroded) and the rest of the cup.

French silver, particularly early examples such as this, are rare. This is partly due to changing tastes and partly because as a precious metal silver also has a financial value independant of the form it takes. In France like elsewhere in Europe, silver was melted down and re-used to create more fashionable items in newer styles or simply to pay off debts.

French silver, particularly early examples such as this, are rare. This is partly due to changing tastes and partly because as a precious metal silver also has a financial value independant of the form it takes. In France like elsewhere in Europe, silver was melted down and re-used to create more fashionable items in newer styles or simply to pay off debts.

392-1907