A Hungarian silver-gilt cup and cover, maker's mark only, HB conjoined above a trefoil, circa 1540

bowl of trumpet form engraved with a band of scrolling foliage, the flat stepped-dome cover similarly engraved, surmounted by a spread-winged swan above a lobed girdle, raised on a spreading circular foot engraved with three foliate scroll motifs, below a cast girdle chased with foliate motifs

Maker's mark clearly stamped to rim of foot. The conical body with various levels of pitting and gilding loss. Split to secondary rim to base. Otherwise good for age with light surface wear to gilding.
"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."

A Hungarian example of similar form but with applied straps and dating to 1520-30 was sold, Sotheby's London, 9th May 1974, lot 180, while another, apparently Hungarian, is in the Hungarian National Museum, Budapest (no. 55.240 C.). In the same museum typical Hungarian glass of this period can be found, with the goblet of King Matyas, dating to 1666, of almost identical shape and form.

A German example attributed to Melchior Bair of Nuremberg and dating to 1535 is in the possession of Prince Starhemberg and can be found illustrated in Kohlhaussen, Nurnberger Goldschmiedkunst, Berlin, 1968, p. 466, fig. 671. A parcel-gilt silver and glass example by Friedrich Hillenbrandt (silver) and Georg Schwanhardt the Elder (glass), Nuremberg, circa 1590 and (the glass) 1630, was sold Sotheby's, Geneva, 18 May 1992, lot 84. It was later sold at Bonham's London, 2 May 2013, lot 34, in the Muhleib collection.