Coconut cup: MAR.M.56 & A-1912

Maker(s)

Silversmith: Unknown (Probably)

Entities

• Coconut cup
• cup and cover
• standing cup and cover

Categories

• Silver

Description

Silver-gilt and coconut; rim mount with hunting scene, coconut held by three straps, on a stem formed as a trunk of a tree with a branch spiralling round it.

Silver-gilt and coconut; the slightly domed circular base with three applied medallions of Classical heads between engravings of scrolling foliage and birds - including an owl. Between the base and the stem is a gadrooned knop topped with silver stylised leaves and scrolls. The stem is formed as a trunk of a tree with a branch spiralling round it. Above it is another ring of silver stylised leaves and scrolls and a calyx engraved with scrolls. Three straps contain the coconut. They are cast with a Classical figure standing in niche above and below a central medalian of the head of a bearded man surrounded by a laurel wreath. Around the top of the coconut is an border engraved with birds amid scrolling foliage, the edge pierced crockets. The deep rim mount is plain inside, whilst the exterior is engraved with a hunting scene showing two men on horseback with hounds chasing a stag and deer. The centre of the cover is of coconut shell with a silver-gilt border and central finial of a Classical female warrior.

Notes

History note: Not known before Charles Brinsley Marlay

Legal notes

C.B. Marlay Bequest

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1912) by Marlay, Charles Brinsley

Dating

16th Century, Late
Possibly 1560 CE - Possibly 1600 CE

Note

The cup is not marked, but was probably made in Germany. The engraving of the hunting scene is similar to prints by Virgil Solis, but does not appear in 'Kupferstiche und Radierungen aus der Werkstatt des Virgil Solis'