Cup
19th century, after 1595 original
Medium
Electroformed copper, gilt
Dimensions
Overall (approximate): 33 × 34 × 14 in. (83.8 × 86.4 × 35.6 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Electrotype
Culture
British, Birmingham, after German, Nuremberg original
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1883
Accession Number
83.18.213a, b
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold the grandeur of this monumental *Cup*, a 19th-century marvel crafted by Birmingham's Elkington & Co. as a faithful electrotype reproduction of Christoph Jamnitzer's original1595 masterpiece from Nuremberg Germany. Standing an impressive 33 × 34 × 14 inches, this gilt electroformed copper vessel captures the Renaissance goldsmith's virtuosic style, renowned for its intricate figural scenes and symbolic motifs, including majestic eagles that evoke imperial power and classical mythology. Jamnitzer, a leading figure in Nuremberg's renowned metalworking tradition, created elaborate cups like this one for elite patrons, blending Mannerist exuberance with technical precision. Elkington & Co., pioneers of electroforming in the Industrial Revolution, revolutionized decorative arts by enabling affordable, high-fidelity copies of such treasures—electrotyping deposited copper onto a mold via electricity, then gilding it for opulent shine. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection since Henry G. Marquand's 1883 gift, this piece bridges Renaissance artistry and Victorian innovation, highlighting how 19th-century British ingenuity preserved Germanic cultural heritage for modern admirers. A testament to enduring craftsmanship!
About the Artist
Christoph Jamnitzer|Elkington & Co. · 1563–1618
Comment on works: goldsmith; copper engraver