A RARE GERMAN SILVER BEAKER

Details

A RARE GERMAN SILVER BEAKER
EMDEN, 1661, MAKER'S MARK GS, PROBABLY FOR GERRIT SPORMAKER

Of tapering cylindrical form, on spreading circular foot repousse and chased with cherub's heads amid foliage and fruit, the lower body with applied ropetwist scroll band, engraved above with birds on foliate perches and with four oval and bird's-head cartouches with emblematic scenes, engraved on one side with a shield enblazoned with an hour glass flanked by wings and, on the other side, with a similar shield enclosing a merchant's mark flanked by the initials EI above a slightly later engraved monogram, marked under base--7 3/4in. (19.1cm.) high
(9 oz. 10 dwt.)

Lot Essay

The three scenes on this beaker depict allegorical figures of wine-making, wheat harvesting, and motherhood. The verses translate, roughly, "no wine, no ?, no corn, no love," and "no love, no joy?"

According to Scheffler, Garrit Spormaker I, the nephew of Harmen, was admitted master in 1654. He was alderman in 1660/61, 1670/71, 1679, 1682/83 (Goldschmiede Niedersachsen, 1965, p.319)