A CARVED IVORY CUP AND COVER

The shape and style of carving of the cup and cover offered here is very similar to another south German example in the Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum, Braunschweig, dated to the 17th century (see comparative illustration) and, furthemore, to another engine-turned ivory goblet sold in Christie's, London, 4th December 1973, lot 20. In each instance one can see a very similar treatment of the density of lobes to the body and foot and to the overall proportions.

Ivory turning was a fascination, and pastime, for the aristocrats from the late Renaissance through to the eighteenth century and they were often known to have employed a master turner as their teacher. The craft required patience and skill, since the material was not only rare, but also extremely delicate. The Grand Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinando de' Medici, was one such ivory carver and his sophisticated cup and cover, for example, resides today in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

These exquisite, virtuoso, objects frequently took fantastical abstract shapes and were often regarded as the centrepieces of any kunstkammer collection. Owning such pieces not only demonstrated one's wealth and intellect, but also one's power since the manipulation of wondrous natural elements such as amber, hardstones and ivory meant that nature, and indeed the universe itself, could be categorised and shaped by mankind.