Images(2)

Faust Pokal

Object NameDeckelpokal (Goblet with Cover)

Designerprobably Karl Friedrich Schinkel (Prussian, 1781-1841)

Manufacturer Werner and Mieth Workshop

Made FromGlass, Gilt Brass Ormolu, Turquoise, Amethyst

Dateabout 1820

Place MadeGermany (Prussia), Berlin

TechniqueBlown, applied, ground, cut, gilt, acid-etched, engraved

SizeOverall H: 34 cm, Diam (max): 16.9 cm

Accession Number2013.3.11

Credit LineGift of the Ennion Society

Curatorial Area(s)

Early Modern

On ViewEuropean Gallery

Physical DescriptionDeckelpokal (Goblet with Cover). Colorless glass, gilt brass ormolu, turquoise, amethyst; blown, applied, ground, cut, gilt, acid-etched, engraved. (a) Goblet with ovoid cup, circular foot, and applied short stem. Body of goblet decorated with eight sets of acid-etched and cut laurel or lotus leaves and flowers around base, the word "FAUST" engraved in center, and an acid-etched and cut band around rim showing alternating stars and diamonds with flowers in centers. Stem and edge of foot are gilt ornamented with ormolu with turquoise insets. Bottom of foot has eight-petaled cut flower or starburst surrounded by eight sets of acid-etched and cut laurel or lotus leaves and flowers around edge. (b) Squat bell-shaped cover with eight sets of acid-etched and cut laurel or lotus leaves and flowers. Rim and facet-cut ovoid finial are gilt ornamented with ormolu. Finial has ormolu top with large faceted oval amethyst gem. Rim of cover appears to be missing gem or stone insets.
Provenance

Source Frank C. Möller Fine Arts - 2012-2013-07-08

Former Collection Prince Antoni Henryk Radziwiłł (1775-1833) - 1820-1820
The Goblet comes from the personal property of the court-actor Pius Alexander Wolff, to whom it was given from Prince Anton Radziwill as a gift during the premiere of the Faust tragedy in the Berlin Palace of Count Radziwill.

Former Collection Pius Alexander Wolff (German, 1782-1828) - 1820
Since 1828 the pokal was bequeathed through the descendants of Wolff and first came on to the art market in 2012.
Inherited from the personal belongings of Hofschauspielers Pius Alexander Wolff (1782 Augsburg - 1828 Weimar), in which it was part.
The pokal came from the inheritance of Pius Alexander Wolff (1782 - 1828), who was an actor in the theatre of Weimar and who was closely connected to Goethe.
The inheritance was passed down from 1830 to 1949 over several generations.
A book by Hans Georg Boehme was published in 1950 entitled "Die Weilburger Goethe-Funde", which describes this inheritance.
In this book one can also read the connection between Wolff and Count Radziwill, who gave him the pokal as a gift because of the performance of the play "Faust".
After 1950 the inheritance was bequeathed through several generations. According to Frank Moeller, the old, hand-written inventory of the inheritance may still be available from the legal heirs.