Lot 167
- 167
A COLLECTION OF SIXTEEN HERRENGRUND EMBOSSED GILT-COPPER CUPS AND TASTEVINS, HUNGARY, VARIOUS DATES, 17TH CENTURY TO 18TH CENTURY |
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
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Description
- sizes varying between 20.5cm. wide and 11cm. wide
comprising four cups with miners inside and twelve tastevins, of lobed shape, chased with scrolling foliage and/or flowers, each with scrolling handles to sides, some with engraved inscriptions
Condition
In overall good conserved condition. Generally with losses to the gilding, old marks and scratches consistent with age and use. Minor oxidation in some areas. One with two restored cracks at opposite ends of the tastevin. Another one with a crack running along the handle, which would benefit from further attention.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
RELATED LITERATURE
Kolba, Judit H. Hungarian Silver: The Nicolas M. Salgo Collection. London, 1996.
Herrengrund wares take their name from the mining town which produced them, in the country of Sohl in Hungary, now Slovakia. Copper existed in the mines in the form of copper sulphate in the mine waters, this copper sulphate could be precipitated into a metallic state with the addition of iron and zinc and subsequently refined. The process was felt to be almost magical and it was emphasized by the rhyming inscriptions which appear on the vessels by alluding to the unique chemical properties of the water found in the Herrengrund mine. Indeed, the inscription on the vessels generally translate to: "Iron I was, copper I am, gold cover me, out of iron ___ copper is made, to Herrengrund very deep in the mineshaft" or "Iron I was, copper I am, gold covers me, good drink fills me." These commemorative cups were also often produced with a miner bearing iron pyrite crystals in the centers.
Kolba, Judit H. Hungarian Silver: The Nicolas M. Salgo Collection. London, 1996.
Herrengrund wares take their name from the mining town which produced them, in the country of Sohl in Hungary, now Slovakia. Copper existed in the mines in the form of copper sulphate in the mine waters, this copper sulphate could be precipitated into a metallic state with the addition of iron and zinc and subsequently refined. The process was felt to be almost magical and it was emphasized by the rhyming inscriptions which appear on the vessels by alluding to the unique chemical properties of the water found in the Herrengrund mine. Indeed, the inscription on the vessels generally translate to: "Iron I was, copper I am, gold cover me, out of iron ___ copper is made, to Herrengrund very deep in the mineshaft" or "Iron I was, copper I am, gold covers me, good drink fills me." These commemorative cups were also often produced with a miner bearing iron pyrite crystals in the centers.