Austro-hungarian Silver 800 Thousandths Libatory Bacchic Cup End XIXᵉ Century

A rare Austro-Hungarian 800-thousandth silver libatory bacchic cup from the late XIXᵉ century

Rare Austro-Hungarian 800 thousandth silver bacchanalian cup from the late XIXᵉ century, made in the form of a naturalistic shell resting on four ball feet. The piece is surmounted by a remarkable figure of a young Bacchus holding a wine cup, depicted in a free and animated attitude evoking festive drunkenness and the pleasures of wine.

Thanks to its natural grip, this cup seems to have been conceived as much as a presentation object as a ceremonial or convivial accessory linked to the Bacchic universe. Its iconography recalls the traditions of wine brotherhoods and celebrations around wine, particularly popular in Central Europe at the end of the XIXᵉ century.

The silver work is particularly refined, with a fully chased and textured decoration imitating the reliefs of a marine shell. The Bacchus, treated with great vivacity, lends a highly seductive theatrical and symbolic dimension to the whole.

The bowl rests on four spherical feet giving it excellent stability while accentuating its sculptural character.

Features

• Austro-Hungarian 800 thousandths silver
• Late XIXᵉ century
• Bachic libatory cup in the shape of a shell
• Fine chased naturalistic decoration
• Figure of young Bacchus holding a wine cup
• Rests on four ball feet
• Weight: 254 g
• Length: 18 cm
• Maximum width: 12 cm
• Maximum height: 13 cm
• Condition: perfect condition