chope en vermeil et argent par Friedrich Richter (Stockholm), vers 1680

le corps et le couvercle gravés de scènes bibliques entourées de vers allemands, l'intérieur en vermeil, le couvercle gravé à l'intérieur des initiales JB, poinçon de maître uniquement

body and cover profusely engraved with biblical scenes bordered by German verse, gilt interior, inside of cover initialled JB in mirrored monogram, maker's mark only

maker's mark only on underside of body
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Les scènes gravées et entourées de vers allemands sont les suivantes: sur le couvercle, le Dernier Jugement; sur le corps, Moïse sauvé des eaux, la manne tombée des cieux, Hagar et Ishmael dans le désert, Elie nourri par les corbeaux, Rebecca au puit, Elie et la veuve à Zarepath. La bordure du col est gravée des premiers vers de l'Ode XX, Vber den Abschied einer Edelen Jungfrawen (Adieu à une noble Vierge) de Martin Opitz.

Martin Opitz von Boberfeld (1597-1639) fut un poète allemand prolifique et traducteur actif, essentiellement de psaumes et textes religieux. L'empereur Ferdinand II l'éleva à la noblesse en 1628 et lui confia des missions diplomatiques dont celle de plénipotentiaire auprès d'Axel Oxenstierna en 1633. Après la mort du roi de Suède Gustave Adolphe en 1632, Oxenstierna, nommé Haut Chancelier, dirigea les territoires allemands conquis par la Suède durant la Guerre de Trente Ans depuis sa capitale installée dans la ville électorale de Mayence.  

Une chope identique du même orfèvre  mais gravée de scènes du Nouveau Testament fut vendue chez Christie's Londres, le 23 novembre 1999, lot 112. La présence du chiffre IB à l'intérieur de son couvercle laisse suggérer le même commanditaire et propriétaire.

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The engraved scenes surrounded by German verse are as follows: on the cover; The Last Judgement; on the body: Moses rescued from the Nile, God's provision of Manna from Heaven, Hagar and Ishmael in the desert, Elijah fed by ravens, Rebecca at the well, Elijah and the widow at Zarephath. Around the body are engraved the first verses of Ode XX, Vber den Abschied einer Edelen Jungfrawen (about the farewell of a Noble Virgin), by Martin Opitz..
Martin Opitz von Boberfeld (1597-1639) was a prolific German poet and active translator, mainly of psalms and religious texts. Raised to the nobility by emperor Ferdinand II in 1628, he was entrusted with diplomatic missions including acting as plenipotentiary to the Swede Axel Oxenstierna in 1633.  Following the death of the Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus in 1632, Oxenstierna, entitled Lord High Chancellor, ruled lands in Germany conquered by Sweden during the 30-Years-War,  from his capital at the electoral city of Mainz.
An identical Swedish tankard, by the same maker but with scenes from the New Testament only, was sold Christies, London, 23 Nov 1999, lot 112. It was almost certainly made for the same person as the prestent tankard as Christies mention an IB cypher inside the cover.