England, London / 1686
Cover for a Two-Handled Cup
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Cover for a Two-Handled Cup as silver (England, London · 1686).
This lid accompanies a two-handled cup. See cover record.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this silver as silver gilt.
The museum's collection notes: Produced a year after the coronation of James II (1633–1701), this lid and the accompanying cup celebrate the monarchy and reflect the political and social alliances that underpinned the aristocracy during the 1600s. During their coronation, James II and his second wife Mary of Modena (1658–1718) were carried through the city of London under a silk canopy adorned with motifs inspired by European perceptions of Chinese art, known as chinoiserie. Following the procession, the thirty-two lords involved in the ceremony were each offered a portion of the cloth from the canopy as well as sixteen troy ounces of silver from the posts. At least two of
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtCover for a Two-Handled CupOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.