Two Hungarian copper and gilt-copper beakers, Herrengrund, 18th century
No reserve
Estimate
1,200 - 1,800 EUR
We may charge or debit your saved payment method subject to the terms set out in our Conditions of Business for Buyers.
Read more.Lot Details
Description
the bodies simulating snakeskin, one inscribed "Aus Eisen Kupfer gemacht Zu Herrengrund shr ist in Schacht", the other inscribed "Als Eisen wurd ich von manichen veracht, als Kupfer aber jetzt ein jeder nach mir tracht"
(2)
Height 1 3/4 in., diam. 2 3/4 in. ; Haut. 4,5 cm, diam. 6,9 cm
Height. 1 7/8 in., diam. 2 3/4 in. ; Haut. 4.8 cm, diam. 7 cm
Private collection, Austria;
Im Kinsky, Vienna, 23 April 2010, lots 828 and 837.
RELATED LITERATURE:
Rotes Gold. Das Wunder von Herrengrund, exh. cat., Grünes Gewölbe, Dresden, 29 August 2025 - 4 January 2026
At Herrengrund (today Špania Dolina in Slovakia), in the copper mines of Upper Hungary, miners observed over four centuries ago that iron tools left in the mine waters became coated in copper within a few weeks. This "cement copper", which we now understand as an electrochemical reaction, was taken for a transmutation of iron into copper. Worked into beakers, bowls and tumblers, it enchanted travellers and collectors in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The mottos on our two beakers allude directly to this "miracle": one proclaims that copper is made from iron at Herrengrund, the other has the metal declare that it was despised as iron but is now sought after by all as copper.
You May Also Like
