Hôtel Lambert, Une Collection Princière, Volume II : Kunstkammer

Hôtel Lambert, Une Collection Princière, Volume II : Kunstkammer

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 296. A Belgian silver-gilt covered cup shaped as an owl, Mechelen, circa 1560.

A Belgian silver-gilt covered cup shaped as an owl, Mechelen, circa 1560

Auction Closed

October 12, 05:41 PM GMT

Estimate

200,000 - 300,000 EUR

Lot Details

Description

A Belgian silver-gilt covered cup shaped as an owl, Mechelen, circa 1560


with detachable head, standing on a circular base, perched on a whistle

height 6 7/8 in.; weight 10,2 oz.; 17,5 cm; 291 g.

__________________________________________________________________________


Coupe couverte en forme de chouette en vermeil, Malines, vers 1560


la tête amovible, reposant sur un sifflet

height 6 7/8 in.; weight 10,2 oz.; 17,5 cm; 291 g.

Michael Wellby Collection, Oxford

Graf, Paris, 2015

____________________________________________


Collection de Michael Wellby, Oxford

Graf, Paris, 2015

Illustraded in Chouette au poinçon d'Anvers, Fondation Roi Baudouin, p. 28-29

This silver-gilt owl is an example of a rare group made in Mechelen (Malines), circa 1560-1561. There is some disagreement about this group been drinking vessels. However, it seems that this kind of objects was a reward in shooting competition. In the 16th century owls with bells tied to their feet were used as trophies.

The owl, the attribute of the goddess Minerva, has been a symbol of wisdom, nevertheless the nocturnal animal was also been associated as a symbol of excess, gluttony and drunkenness.


Part of the group is a silver cup with owl sitting on branch with a bell attached to its right leg the head detachable, Mechelen, circa 1570 in the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1181:1, 2-1864.

One other silver owl bearing the marks for Mechelen, circa 1560-1561 Kasteelmuseum, Doorn, oude Berlijnse inv. 239/11.

Two other owls, one with garnet eyes and the other with jet eyes, both stamped with Mechelen marks, circa 1560-1561, maker’s mark "angel" are illustrated in V. Laloux P. Gruysmans, Le Bestiaire des Orfèvres, 1994.