ANTIQUE 20thC DUTCH SOLID SILVER WEDDING WAGER CUP c.1900

Novelty 20th Century solid silver wager / marriage cup, the cups design inspired by the early 16th century German example, modelled as a female figure supporting over her head a smalled domed swiveling cup and the lower cups half chased with beautiful floral scrolls. The silver wager cup was created for use at wedding banquets, where the spouse drank wine from the bigger cup and offered his bride to drink from the smaller cup, avoiding pouring out its content.

This example is Dutch in origin, and the style, construction, and decorative approach are consistent with high-quality continental silver of the period. The absence of English import marks confirms it was not assayed for the British market, further supporting its attribution as a continental European piece rather than an English-imported example.

 Hallmarked Dutch Silver (925 Standard) (Pseudo markings). Later Hallmarked Scottish silver (925 standard), Edinburgh.

Reference Number: B12238d