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Lot Essay
Initially silver beakers were mainly used in households. Only after the Reformation they were being used in Church during Communion too. Groningen communion beakers have some characteristic features, which we will not find in examples which were made in the neighbouring areas.
In the Baltic area, we find beakers of a considerable height with an almost cylindrical body, sometimes on feet. More to the west, in the province of Friesland and in the town of Amsterdam, communion beakers were made which generally have quite a large diameter at the bottom and have linear diverging sides.
Groningen beakers are slender at the foot and have a flared body. The typical Groningen foot consists of a cast domed circular base and a chased, decorative band. Perhaps even more characteristic is the applied band of rope or spikes just above the foot. The body is usually elaborately engraved with stylised foliage, strapwork, trelliswork and flowers, often in combination with personifications of the virtues Faith, Hope and Charity.
See illustration
In the Baltic area, we find beakers of a considerable height with an almost cylindrical body, sometimes on feet. More to the west, in the province of Friesland and in the town of Amsterdam, communion beakers were made which generally have quite a large diameter at the bottom and have linear diverging sides.
Groningen beakers are slender at the foot and have a flared body. The typical Groningen foot consists of a cast domed circular base and a chased, decorative band. Perhaps even more characteristic is the applied band of rope or spikes just above the foot. The body is usually elaborately engraved with stylised foliage, strapwork, trelliswork and flowers, often in combination with personifications of the virtues Faith, Hope and Charity.
See illustration