chocolate cup

Object NameTwo-handled Cup and Cover

Manufacturer Meissen

Made FromPorcelain, Enamel, Gilding

Dateabout 1725-1728

Place MadeGermany, Saxony

TechniqueEnameled, gilded

SizeOverall H: 10.5 cm, W: 10.6 cm, D: 8.2 cm

Accession Number2017.3.7 C

Curatorial Area(s)

Early Modern

On ViewEuropean Gallery

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

Hot chocolate was an expensive luxury. It was usually served in a lidded cup to keep it warm, along with a glass of water and small pastries called sweetmeats.

Physical DescriptionTwo-handled Cup and Cover. Porcelain, enamel, gilding. (a) Elongated cup with slightly flared rim and scallop-shaped, gilded handles on either side. Running around the inside of the rim is a gilded strapwork border. The outside of the cup is decorated with two quatrefoil cartouches, delineated by so-called "Laub-und-Bandelwerk" in iron-red, purple and gold. The cartouches contain "Kauffahrte" scenes, depicting imaginary views of harbors with merchants engaged in negotiation. (b) Matching porcelain cover surmounted by a gilded ball finial. Three smaller cartouches on the top echo the larger cartouches on the cup (a).
Provenance

Source Röbbig München - 2013-04-18-2017-03-15

Former Collection Dorotheum GmbH & Co KG - 2013-04-18
Dorotheum, Vienna 18th April 2013, lot 1158 (part)