Pair of cruets
Unknown Artist
crystal and upper mount 15th century, handle and foot 17th century
Medium
Rock crystal, silver gilt
Dimensions
Height (each): 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Silver In Combination
Culture
German
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931
Accession Number
32.100.232, .233
Art Historical Context
This exquisite pair of cruets, crafted in Germany, exemplifies the luxurious metalwork of late medieval Europe. Dating to the 15th century for rock crystal bodies and upper silver-gilt mounts, with 17th-century handles and added later, these vessels stand at 6 5/8 inches (16.8 cm) tall. Rock crystal, a prized hardstone known for its luminous clarity, was meticulously carved into elegant forms, while the silver gilt—silver coated with a thin layer of gold—provided a radiant, opulent finish typical of ecclesiastical treasures. Cruets like these were essential in liturgical settings, holding hol...