Beschreibung:

A RARE AND IMPORTANT PARCEL-GILT SILVER BEAKER MADE IN THE GRAND DUCHY OF LITHUANIA
DATED 1560, UNMARKED
A RARE AND IMPORTANT PARCEL-GILT SILVER BEAKER MADE IN THE GRAND DUCHY OF LITHUANIA DATED 1560, UNMARKED Tapering cylindrical with flared lip, the border to the flat base engraved with a band of foliage on hatched ground, the body encircled by two engraved serpents, their scaly tales coiled round a moon-shaped face, their bodies engraved with inscription and with foliage at the points they cross, their scaly necks with monstrous heads each with ears, eyes, snout, open jaw and tongue, one with two vertical engraved foliate panels below, flanking a foliate escutcheon engraved with initials, with heart shaped pendant strapwork below, the opposite side engraved with a double cross in escutcheon flanked by two monstrous animals with coiled tails and massive heads with pointed tongues, with beaded band with plain rim above, the interior of the lip gilded, the interior of the lip gilded. 7 in. ( 19.7 cm.) high 17 oz. (550 gr.) Although it is exceptionally difficult the most likely translation of this early Slavonic inscription reads : "This cup was made for master* Gregory of Orsha,…. for friendship to those who drink from it for the good of their souls**, in the year 1560, the month of March, on the first day". * in the English sense of a young gentleman ** i.e. not to get drunk The coat-of-arms are possibly an early version of those of Sapieha, which are usually shown as an identical double cross but with the central vertical bar terminating above in an arrow head.