Lower Part of a Double Cup
15th c.
Pomp and Circumstance: Sumptuous Sideboards Court festivities have always served to demonstrate a host’s status and wealth to the admitted members of the public. In the 15th century, sideboards set with precious objects were a prominent feature of such occasions: gold, silver, and rock crystal vessels were placed next to griffin’s claws, so-called Natternzungenkredenzen (table decorations set with “adders’ tongues”) or burr-wood cups: all of them materials credited with magical powers to protect from poison.
Pomp and Circumstance: Sumptuous Sideboards Court festivities have always served to demonstrate a host’s status and wealth to the admitted members of the public. In the 15th century, sideboards set with precious objects were a prominent feature of such occasions: gold, silver, and rock crystal vessels were placed next to griffin’s claws, so-called Natternzungenkredenzen (table decorations set with “adders’ tongues”) or burr-wood cups: all of them materials credited with magical powers to protect from poison.
Time:
15th c.
Object Name
Vessel; Cup
Culture
Alpine Region
Material/technology:
Burr-wood, gilded silver
Dimensions:
H. 8,5 cm, D. 16 cm
Inscribed
MARIA (auf der OS des Griffes)
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Kunstkammer
Invs.
Kunstkammer, 72
Browse more
Similar items you might be interested in
Handstone with the Resurrection and Emperor Charles V after the Battle of Pavia Caspar Ulich ca. 1560
Table Cabinet of Archduke Ferdinand II Ferdinand II. (1564-1595), Erzherzog von Österreich und Landesherr von Tirol ca. 1582
