A Victorian silver-gilt, enamel and gem-set Renaissance-style cup and cover, Elkington & Co., Birmingham, 1863

Estimate

12,000 - 16,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

the base with oval applied plaque of Queen Victoria's cypher surrounded by "Department of Science and Art - Elkington''
height 9 3/4 in.
24.6cm

the domed foot with panels of foliate strapwork on light blue ground between turquoises, the stem rising from foliage to spherical knop set with four roundels of satyrs and nymphs separated by garnets, the cup set with panels of female nudes between high-relief profile heads, the cover with four figures of cupids in simulated niches between garnets, gilt putto with cymbals finial rising from multicolored scalework rosettes

Condition

good condition
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

The medallion on the bottom of this piece corresponds to the 1853 agreement between The Department of Science and Art and Henry Cole of Elkington, though which Elkington's were granted the right to make reproductions of works belonging to or lent to the South Kensington Museum (now the Victoria & Albert Museum). The electrotyped pieces were marked with the official stamp of the Department and were sold by Elkington's and by the Museum.

This piece does not correspond to a known piece in the V&A collections, and was presumably cast from an item loaned to the museum. While several Elkington copies are known, attesting to the popularity of the design, the lack of an original suggests that Elkington may, in fact, have copied a contemporary mid-19^th century cup believed at that time to be a Renaissance piece.