148

Cup made of rock crystal, ivory and gilded silver, Italy, 17th – 18th century

Total weight: 497.6 gr

Antique rock crystal, elephant ivory (Elephas maximus Linnaeus, 1758 or Loxodonta africana Blumenbach, 1797) and gilded silver cup.

The octagonal rock crystal base is decorated around the edge with chiselled leaves in gilded silver and embellished with cascading plant motifs; the stem consists of a sculptural group in ivory depicting cherubs tied to a tree trunk, above which rests the body in faceted rock crystal.

The lid with a plug closure is also made of rock crystal, edged with a ring of chiselled leaves in gilded silver and topped with a handle carved in ivory depicting a naked Venus standing with her right arm raised.

The cup belongs to the luxury production of the 17th century, when rock crystal was mounted with gilded silver and ivory for parade objects intended for princely collections and Wunderkammer.

The Venus handle and the cherubs on the stem refer to the Renaissance and Mannerist taste still alive in the 17th century, while the gilded silver mountings with drooping leaves confirm this chronology. For these reasons, the work can be dated to the second half of the 17th century and was probably made in Italy.

The silver is hallmarked with illegible marks.

Height x diameter: 25.5 x 8 cm

Height x width of ivory carving stem: 7.4 x 2.6 cm

Height x width of ivory carving on lid: 6 x 1.5 x 2.5 cm

This lot, accompanied by a CITES certificate and expertise issued by Ce.S.Ar Centro studi archeometici, is only available for sale with shipments within the European Union. (expertise Ce.S.Ar. 2025-216)

Provenance:
Count Luigi Rigi Luperti collection.