A GERMAN PARCEL-GILT TANKARD

DANZIG, CIRCA 1680, MAKER'S MARK BG UNIDENTIFIED

Details

A GERMAN PARCEL-GILT TANKARD
Danzig, circa 1680, maker's mark BG unidentified
Cylindrical, the body chased with a scene representing Alexander and the legend of the Gordian knot, the gilt mount chased with with trophies surrounding three busts, one representing a woman, the others a soldier and an old man, the parcel-gilt cover embossed with a gilt band of trophies and putti, the finial shaped as a reclining figure of Athena, the left arm holding an owl, the right arm holding drapery, the scroll handle with double scroll thumbpiece, with silver-gilt sleeve liner, marked on foot rim, neck and cover
9in. (25 cm.) high
52ozs. (1,624 gr.)

Lot Essay

Alexander cutting the Gordian knot: during the war against Darius, King of Persia, Alexander, when he entered the city of Gordio, found a carriage whose reins were tangled in a particular knot. A legend said that the man who would succeed in disentangling it would become the world conqueror. Alexander took his sword and cut the reins.

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