An important Baroque ivory double goblet
Finely turned ivory goblet comprised of numerous connected parts. The baluster form shaft resting on a domed base supporting a slightly waisted cup and a domed lid with a smaller, identical goblet forming the handle. On top a small lid with a finial designed as a fountain. Old restored shrinkage cracks to the base and to the lid, minimal rim chips, a minor glued repair to the fountain. H 43 cm.
German princely court (possibly Dresden), late 16th / 17th C.
Ivory turning was a popular princely pastime. Prince Elector August of Saxony (1526 – 1586) was especially fond of the pursuit and was well known for his Mannerist creations, many of which served no practical purpose and were simply meant to satisfy his own aesthetic wants. The Green Vault in Dresden houses numerous objects created by the regent that fascinate viewers to this day. This goblet presented here should also be seen in this context, especially considering that it was in no way intended for use as a drinking vessel, but merely to display the beauty and perfection of form of the precious material.
Provenance
From an Antwerp collection.
Literature
Cf. SKD, Sammlung Grünes Gewölbe, inv. no. II 463 ff, die Sammlung der Drechslerarbeiten des Kurfürsten August (1526 - 1586).
Cf. Koeppe (ed.), Making Marvels. Science and Splendor at the Courts of Europe, New York 2019, no. 58, the nine-piece canister of turned ivory from the Bavarian National Museum Collection (R4843).