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A rock crystal cup and cover in the form of Abbot Suger's eagle, Austro-Hungarian, late 19th century
Estimate
2,500 - 3,500 GBP
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Description
- A rock crystal cup and cover in the form of Abbot Suger's eagle, Austro-Hungarian, late 19th century
- rock crystal, silver-gilt
- 17cm., 6 3/4 in. high
with red and white enamelled gold mounts,
Condition
some minor chips to right wing and base, one chip to neck of eagle, mounts of body probably re-fitted, black flaw to body. Otherwise 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. 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Abbott Suger (c. 1081-1151) was a French abbot, statesman, historian and one of the earliest patrons of Gothic architecture. He was abbot of Saint-Denis and adviser to Louis VI and Louis VII and took a particular interest in adding to the treasure held by his abbey.
In his De administratione, Suger recorded that he had found a porphyry vase, dating from Ancient Egypt or Imperial Rome, and adapted it for use as a liturgical vessel in the abbey of Saint-Denis. ‘And further we adapted for the service of the altar, with the aid of gold and silver material, a porphyry vase, made admirably by the hand of the sculptor and polisher, after it had lain idly in a chest for many years, converting it from a flagon into the shape of an eagle; and we had the following verses inscribed on this vase: “This stone deserves to be enclosed in gems and gold. It was marble, but in these [settings] it is more precious than marble.’ [Panofsky, E., ed. and trans. (1979). Abbot Suger on the Abbey Church of Saint-Denis and Its Art Treasures, 2nd edn. Princeton., quoted in Belozerskaya, M. (2005), Luxury Arts of the Renaissance, J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles.]. It has been suggested that he chose the eagle form because the eagle is a symbol of Christ. The porphyry vase is one of the treasures of Saint-Denis now held at the Louvre. It is said that the eagle’s popularity prevented its destruction during the French Revolution. [Stratford, Neil (1991). "Le Trésor de St-Denis: Paris, Louvre". The Burlington Magazine 133 (1058): 337–39].
In his De administratione, Suger recorded that he had found a porphyry vase, dating from Ancient Egypt or Imperial Rome, and adapted it for use as a liturgical vessel in the abbey of Saint-Denis. ‘And further we adapted for the service of the altar, with the aid of gold and silver material, a porphyry vase, made admirably by the hand of the sculptor and polisher, after it had lain idly in a chest for many years, converting it from a flagon into the shape of an eagle; and we had the following verses inscribed on this vase: “This stone deserves to be enclosed in gems and gold. It was marble, but in these [settings] it is more precious than marble.’ [Panofsky, E., ed. and trans. (1979). Abbot Suger on the Abbey Church of Saint-Denis and Its Art Treasures, 2nd edn. Princeton., quoted in Belozerskaya, M. (2005), Luxury Arts of the Renaissance, J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles.]. It has been suggested that he chose the eagle form because the eagle is a symbol of Christ. The porphyry vase is one of the treasures of Saint-Denis now held at the Louvre. It is said that the eagle’s popularity prevented its destruction during the French Revolution. [Stratford, Neil (1991). "Le Trésor de St-Denis: Paris, Louvre". The Burlington Magazine 133 (1058): 337–39].