A VERY LARGE GERMAN PARCEL-GILT SILVER PINEAPPLE CUP

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The Property of a Lady (Lots 31-59) This collection comprises silver from most of the major German production centres of the 17th and 18th centuries, in particular Augsburg and Nuremberg. The pineapple was considered an exotic fruit at this period although it was first brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus at the end of the 15th century. It was a symbol of hospitality and proved a popular subject for silver cups which often served no other purpose than to demonstrate the wealth and status of the owner. As gilding was expensive at this period, not to mention dangerous because of the mercury involved in the process, it was common practice to leave the underneath of the foot ungilded as this was not visible when standing on a table.

A VERY LARGE GERMAN PARCEL-GILT SILVER PINEAPPLE CUP

MAKER'S MARK ONLY TO TOP, INDISTINCT, APPARENTLY ML CONJOINED, SECOND HALF OF 17TH CENTURY, ALSO BEARING A LATER PRUSSIAN STORAGE MARK FOR 1809

Details

A VERY LARGE GERMAN PARCEL-GILT SILVER PINEAPPLE CUP
MAKER'S MARK ONLY TO TOP, INDISTINCT, APPARENTLY ML CONJOINED, SECOND HALF OF 17TH CENTURY, ALSO BEARING A LATER PRUSSIAN STORAGE MARK FOR 1809
The stem modelled as two entwined tree trunks wound with tendrils and fruiting vines and applied with two men climbing the tree armed with axes, the cover with a large and intricate floral finial issuing from a two-handled urn with foliage around its base
23 in. (59 cm.) high
38.25 oz. (1205 gm.)

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 20% on the buyer's premium.

Sale room notice

Please note that the mark illustrated in the catalogue is the later Prussian storage mark which has been printed upside down and not the indistinct maker's mark, apparently ML conjoined.

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