SILVER CEREMONIAL CUP. SPAIN,16TH CENTURY.
Antiques -
Reference: ZF0957
Catavinos or quaking glass. Silver in colour. Spain, 16th century. With contrast marks, illegible. A stemless, handleless goblet made of silver in its colour and with a circular base, a flared rim towards the outside and a concave centre upwards on the inside, which has an embossed decoration based on plant elements (flowers on the rim, other different ones towards the centre around a central floral motif and alternating with rectangular motifs), scallop-shaped 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 frustrated hallmark, in which the letters “AIEB” can still be read, followed by a rectangular motif placed vertically. These types of drinking cups, sometimes also known as bernegales, were used on special occasions (ceremonies, etc.), hence their material and the decoration they feature, and were very common during the reign of the Austrians in Spain. Although they were objects for civil 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 some important museums. For example, similar bernegales from the 16th century are kept in the Fundación Valencia de Don Juan (Madrid), and those from the 17th century are somewhat more abundant, as shown by those in the Lázaro Galdiano Museum (inventory 3910 and 3916).
· Size: 16x16x2 cms.
2.900 €
