Mi.902 -903 (11.09.1944)

Mi.902-903

German Association for goldsmith art

The image depicts a Nautilus Cup with Satyr Shaft

Designed by Bernd Quippe (before 1662-1722) and goldsmith Balthasar Permoser (1651-1732), Berlin, around 1707

Made from Silver, gold-plate, nautilus shell, and mother-of-pearl inlay.

Displayed within the Green Vault at the Staatlichen Kunstsammlungen Dresden.

The satyr crouching on the cup's base seems to have to summon up all his strength to carry the nautilus's shell. His bent back and head turned to the side testify to the weight of the vessel resting on his neck, which he is balancing with his hands.

A panther - symbolic of the god Dionysus - sits enthroned on the highest point, apparently smiling, holding a bunch of grapes in its left paw. Other grapes, a shepherd's flute and the faun's mask emblazoned on the bow of the pearl boat complete the bacchanalian range of motifs on this imaginatively designed cup, which seems to pay homage to sensual pleasure.

According to the silver mark, the goldsmith who made the cup was Bernhard Quippe. However, the otherwise relatively unknown Berlin master is unlikely to be the actual creator of this cup. It is considered proven that the extremely inventive composition goes back to the Saxon court sculptor Balthasar Permoser, who probably also created the models. Permoser traveled to Berlin several times between 1698 and 1709 for his work on the city palace and may have met Quippe there. The figure of the satyr, in its powerful beauty and joie de vivre, is closely related to Permoser's herms for the Lustgarten front of the Berlin Palace, but also to the somewhat later carrying figures of the Dresden Zwinger.

Balthasar Permoser's design was still attracting attention in the 19th century, as evidenced by a goblet in the Palácio de Ajuda, Lisbon, which essentially repeats the composition.

Source: skd-online-collection.skd.museum

Contact Brief History to inform us of additional information regarding this page