Grande chope en argent et vermeil, apparemment non poinconnee, probablement Allemagne ou Suede, vers 1640

de forme octagonale, chaque face gravée des Sept Vertus : la Foi, la Justice, la Charité, la Croyance, l'Espérance, La Force, et la Tempérance, le dessous avec plusieurs touches d'essai et le numéro d'inventaire 152

engraved with eight female personifications of the Virtues: Justice, Charity, Faith,  Temperance, Courage, Prudence and Patience, the underside with multiple assay scrapes and inventory number 152 in the Russian manner

some minor surface scratches commensurate with age, otherwise fairly crisp condition, inscirption effaced from cover
"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."

Une chope de la même forme, au poinçon de la ville suédoise de Norrköping, également gravée des personifications féminines des huit vertus, est illustrée par Carl Hernmarck et al. Svenskt Silversmide 1520-1850, Stockholm, 1941, no. 102. D'autres villes allemandes et suédoises ont également réalisé des chopes de cette forme, telles qu'à Linköping, Nyköping, et Hamburg. Voir Schliemann et al. Die Goldschmiede Hamburgs, Hamburg 1985, vol. III, illus 244 and 245 et Sothebys, Genève, 13 Mai 1991, lot 199 pour une chope de Norden gravée de la même manière que ce lot. 

A Swedish tankard of this form from Norrköping, also with female personifications of the eight virtues is illustrated in Carl Hernmarck et al. Svenskt Silversmide 1520-1850, Stockholm, 1941, no. 102. The form can also be found in other Swedish and German towns such as Linköping, Nyköping,  and  Hamburg. See also Schliemann et al. Die Goldschmiede Hamburgs, Hamburg 1985, vol. III, illus 244 and 245 and Sothebys, Geneva, 13 May 1991, lot 199 for an example from Norden similarly engraved with the Virtues.