SILVER CEREMONIAL CUP. SPAIN,16TH CENTURY.
Antiques -
Reference: ZF0957
Wine-tasting flask or shivering flask. Silver in its color. Spain, 16th century. With contrast marks, Illegible. Stemless and handleless cup, silver in its own color and with a circular base, a rim that flares outwards and a center that concave upwards on the inside. It features embossed decoration based on plant elements (flowers on the rim, other flowers towards the center around a central floral motif and alternating with rectangular motifs), veneered shapes (interspersed with flowers on the rim), and a small band of stars towards the edge of the piece. At this end, it has a partially foiled hallmark, on which the letters "AIEB" can still be read, followed by a vertical rectangular motif. These types of drinking cups, sometimes also known as bernegales, were used on special occasions (ceremonies, etc.), hence their material and decoration. They were very common during the reign of the Habsburgs in Spain. Although they were objects for civilian use, it was not unusual for them to be donated or commissioned for use in churches or liturgical settings. Similar examples can be found in very few private collections and only in a few important museums. For example, similar 16th-century bernegales are preserved in the Fundación Valencia de Don Juan (Madrid), and 17th-century ones are somewhat more abundant, as evidenced by those in the Lázaro Galdiano Museum (inventory 3910 and 3916).
· Size: 16x16x2 cms.
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