The Pleasure of Objects: The Ian & Carolina Irving Collection
The Pleasure of Objects: The Ian & Carolina Irving Collection
A German Parcel-Gilt Silver and Enamel Tulip Cup and Cover, Sigmund Bierfreund, Nuremberg, Circa 1680
Auction Closed
January 30, 06:14 PM GMT
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
the foot embossed and chased with flowers, the cold enameled stem modelled as Nike holding a palm branch and plaque engraved with a coat-of-arms, the cup formed as a tulip flower, the cover likewise and with a cold enamel tulip finial
12 3/4 oz; 396 g
height 15 in.; 38 cm
The maker's mark SB over F has been attributed to the Sigmund Bierfreund (fl. 1654-1702) who was born in the east of Prussia in 1619/20.1 He seems to have specialised in this unusual form of tulip-shaped cup (tulpenpokal) which were made in the second half of the 17th century. Indeed, Rosenberg, who did not know the identity of the maker's mark referred to him as 'Meister der Tulpenkuppen'2 and recorded no fewer than ten cups in this form to which can be added at least four more noted since. The cold enameling is an uncommon addition to the present lot; one other with such decoration is illustrated in Wenzel Jamnitzer und die Nürnberger Goldschmiedekunst 1500 - 1700, image 454.
It should be noted that a tulip cup was chosen for the back cover of Karin Tebbe et al, Nürnberger Goldschmiedeskunst 1541-1868, the 2007 catalogue of the two Germanisches Museum.
Notes
1. Exh. Cat. Wenzel Jamnitzer und die Núrnberger Goldschmiedekunst 1500-1700, Nuremberg, 1985, no 182
2. Rosenberg, M., Der Goldschmiede Merkzeichen (Band III): Deutschland N - Z. Frankfurt a.M., 1925, p.222