Covered Beaker
Unknown Artist
ca. 1325–50 (vessel); ca. 1340–60 (mounts)
Medium
Silver gilt, rock crystal, and translucent enamels
Dimensions
Overall: 8 1/4 x 3 3/8 in. (21 x 8.6 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Silver
Culture
Italian (vessel); Austrian (mounts)
Department
The Cloisters
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cloisters Collection, 1989
Accession Number
1989.293
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Covered Beaker, on view in The Cloisters at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies theulence of late medieval craftsmanship. Dating to around 1325–50 for its rock crystal vessel and 1340–60 for the Austrian silver gilt mounts, the piece stands just over 8 inches tall. The translucent body of carved rock crystal—a prized material symbolizing purity and clarity in the Gothic era—reveals subtle internal facets, while the ornate mounts feature intricate chasing and translucent enamels that catch the light with vibrant hues. Crafted as a luxury object, likely for ecclesiastical...