Artwork Page for Standing Cup

Details / Information for Standing Cup

Standing Cup

mid- to late 1500s

after a design by Virgil Solis

(German, 1514–1562)
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Culture
Germany, Nuremberg
Medium
gilt silver
Measurements
Overall: 50.8 x 20.4 cm (20 x 8 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1962.286
Public Domain
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Location
114 Late Northern Renaissance
Print

Description

Large ceremonial silver cups with covers were a status symbol in the late 16th century, particularly when gilded like this superb example from Nuremberg. Stylish and grand, these cups provided the ultimate vessel from which a royal guest or aristocratic visitor could drink at a formal banquet. They came to be known as willkom, or welcome cups, as a result. The lid, mid-section, and base are all cast in sections, creating imposing height and stability for the great amount of silver used, a testament to the skill of the maker and the pocketbook of the owner.
This gilt silver standing cup features an ornate, tiered lid topped with a slender spire. Intricate engraved patterns and raised foliate motifs cover the wide bowl, which narrows into a bulbous lower section. Below, a slender stem with small scrolling handles connects the vessel to a tiered, circular base. The entire golden surface is densely decorated with textured engravings, creating a reflective, highly detailed composition from the pointed top to the broad foot.

Standing Cup

mid- to late 1500s

Virgil Solis

(German, 1514–1562)
Germany, Nuremberg

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