Goblet

Art Historical Context

Step into the opulent world of 19-century British craftsmanship with this exquisite *Goblet* by Franchi and Son, a faithful electrotype reproduction of a 16th-century original. Standing at 8 inches (20.3 cm) tall, it features a luxurious agate body mounted on silver over base metal, evoking the grandeur of Renaissance drinking vessels. These goblets were prized status symbols among the elite, blending natural stone with gleaming metal to symbolize wealth and refinement. Electrotyping, the innovative technique used here, revolutionized 19th-century metalwork by allowing precise, affordable copies of precious originals through electroplating. Developed in the Victorian era, it enabled museums like The Metropolitan Museum of Art—where this piece was acquired by purchase in 1873—to share historical treasures with wider audiences. Housed in the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts department, it highlights London's enduring legacy in luxury metalwork. This goblet not only quenches our curiosity about Tudor-era banquets but also showcases how 19th-century artisans bridged past and present, preserving cultural heritage through technical ingenuity. A true gem for lovers of decorative arts!