Nuremberg, Germany, 17th century
Dimensions: H: 38.5 cm
Fire-gilt silver grape cup with Nuremberg hallmark
The 38.5 cm high object has a removable top with a dark floral lace decoration. The grape stalk and the character holding an axe on it refer to a biblical story when Moses sent spies to Canaan to pick grapes, and the stalks of the grapes there were so large and thick that they could only be cut with an axe. The lower part of the object continues the metallic, scrolling motifs found on the top decoration, with large grape vines sitting at the base.
