Lot Details

Description

A cup with lid in embossed and chiseled silver, 19th–20th century

Silver cup with repoussé and chased decoration, featuring a circular base and body adorned with floral and geometric motifs. On one side is the motto "Gloria immortalis labore parta", taken from the Emblemata by Hadrianus Junius, published by Christophe Plantin, Antwerp, 1565. Emblem 3: Set in a pastoral landscape, a serpent bites into a spade positioned above the globe, its tail forming a circle; a laurel wreath entwines the serpent, creating a second sphere above the earth; the entire scene is framed by a decorative border.

The title "Gloria immortalis labore parta" means "Immortal glory is achieved through hard work." The image conveys this idea through four symbolic elements: the serpent, forming a single loop, symbolizes eternity, the laurel wreath represents glory, the spade and the earthly globe stand for labor and human effort, respectively.

Above the terrestrial globe (symbolizing our everyday reality), we see the spade digging into it. The serpent, grasping the handle of the spade in its mouth, is encircled by the laurel wreath. This creates a rhetorical unity between image and motto, where each emblematic element, though arranged in a somewhat arbitrary rustic setting, contributes to the overarching message. This motto and emblem also appear in: Johannes Kepler, Apologia pro sua opere Harmonices Mundi, adversus demonstrationem analyticam clarissimi viri D. Roberti de Fluctibus, 1622. On the opposite side: a rampant lion inside a cartouche topped with a crown, flanked by two angels holding a laurel wreath. The lid features a foliated rim and is shaped like a truncated pyramid, upon which a figure is mounted.

Dimensions

HxLxD 14,17in x 3,94in x 3,94in

Weight

18,84oz

Provenience

Private collection

Condition

Slight signs of age and superficial scratches. The hallmarks are present on the base of the cup.

Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers must understand that any statement made by Coradi Rare Finds is merely a subjective opinion.