A German silver-gilt bunch of grapes cup and cover, Esaias zur Linden, Nuremberg, 1609-29

domed foot initialled in the 17th century JSF below earl’s coronet for Jean Seaforth Forbes, countess of Mar, tree cutter and woodman stem, sheet scrollwork finial, marked on body and foot

Cover unmarked, finial probably later, sheet scrollwork lacking from base of stem and elements of sheetscrollwork lacking, later screw attached to top of stem and fixing to body by piercing, good clear marks and nice colour
"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."

An undated family letter with this cup states: 'This chalice or cup belonged to the Countess of Seaforth whose coronet and cypher are on the base. Her daughter Lady Mary Mackenzie married John, Earl of Mar whose daughter Lady Sophia Erskine or Areskine married Alexander, 3^rd Lord Forbes of Pitsligo, through whom it came to their grandson, The Hon. John Forbes Master of Pitsligo [1723-1781], who gave it to me. (Sir William Forbes So Father of Sir John Fobes and great great grandfather of Charles John Robert, Lord Clinton' 

The family letter states that an early owner was Lady Sophia Erskine who married (1676) Alexander 3^rd Lord Forbes of Pitsligo and that the initials on the cup are those of her grandmother the Countess of Seaforth, who was born a Forbes. However Sophia’s grandmother was called Barbara and as the initials on the cup do not include the letter B, an ascription to her seems unlikely.  On the other hand the letter J on the cup coincides with Lady Sophia’s mother, Jean (died after 1674). The family letter seemingly inaccurate in some detail does state correctly that Lady Sophia’s father, Jean's husband,  was  John 4^th Earl of Mar (died 1668) which would make sense of the Earl's coronet above the initials.