Lot number 649 - Auction 150
GOLDMONTIERTES DECKEL-GEFÄSS

A FINE GOLD-MOUNTED AGATE COVERED CUP Probably England, 19th century Of oval form, this exquisitely crafted covered cup is carved from translucent agate and richly mounted in finely engraved gold. The lid features a central petal-shaped knop, set on an agate panel within a finely worked gold frame. The engraving displays Green Man mask heads, bird masks, and birds amid scrollwork. The underside continues this lavish decoration with Mercury (Hermes) masks and mythical fish. The agate cup is mounted to match the lid, and rises on an inverted ovoid knop stem, also of gold and decorated throughout with mask heads and foliate scrolls. Height: 13 cm, Gold: Tested as 18 karat, Weight: 130 g (total). The whole rests on a domed, lobed and petal-edged foot, unifying the design in elegant harmony. With its intricate decoration and classical references, the piece evokes the luxurious aesthetic of 17th-century Kunstkammer objects, while showcasing the technical finesse and historicising taste of the 19th century.