Standing cup
The dolphin, symbol of a long life, is also an attribute of Venus, goddess of love, as is the shell which is evoked by the form of the wine bowl. In ancient mythology, the dolphin is also a companion of Bacchus, god of wine and erotic ecstasy. The cup’s form and imagery allude to the dangers of living in a war-torn region and celebrate love and a long, prosperous journey through life. The sophisticated program and quality of the craftsmanship suggest that the maker traveled through South Germany, where comparable vessels were made in Ulm and Augsburg. This cup is by the same master as that of a tankard with the story of Ahasverus in the Musée National du Moyen Age, Thermes de Cluny, Paris.
Artwork Details
- Title: Standing cup
- Maker: Georgius May I (active ca. 1655–84)
- Date: ca. 1670
- Culture: Hungarian, Brassó
- Medium: Gilded silver
- Dimensions: Overall: 9 1/8 x 5 in. (23.2 x 12.7 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork-Silver
- Credit Line: Gift of The Salgo Trust for Education, New York, in memory of Nicolas M. Salgo, 2010
- Object Number: 2010.110.35
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Erhardus Wüstermann
1633
Hungarian
ca. 1656
Hungarian, Transylvania
1696
Hungarian, Transylvania
1690
Hungarian, possibly Fogaras
1681
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.