A Pair of German Parcel-Gilt Silver Wedding Goblets, Late 19th Century

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A Pair of German Parcel-Gilt Silver Wedding Goblets, Late 19th Century:
$5000.00

This impressive pair of wedding goblets, crafted in Germany in the late 19th century around 1880, exemplifies the refined artistry and symbolic richness associated with Jewish matrimonial silver of the period. Executed in silver with warm parcel-gilt highlights, the goblets combine sculptural form with dense ornamental detail, resulting in objects of both ceremonial significance and visual splendor.Each goblet rests on a circular, gently domed base, richly chased with scrolling foliate motifs and stylized floral elements that radiate outward in balanced symmetry. The bases transition into elaborately worked, layered stems composed of bulbous, baluster-like sections, each articulated with engraved scrollwork, floral cartouches, and beaded accents. These stacked forms lend the goblets a rhythmic vertical movement while providing a sense of solidity and monumentality.The upper cups continue this decorative language, their exterior surfaces adorned with flowing acanthus scrolls, floral sprays, and softly modeled repoussé elements that catch and reflect the light through their gilded highlights. On each side of the cup are striking applied handles formed as lion heads—symbols of strength, guardianship, and blessing—each gripping a circular ring through its mouth. The lions’ manes, facial features, and expressive contours are finely detailed, underscoring the high level of craftsmanship.Encircling the upper rim is a Hebrew inscription from the Book of Genesis:“על כן יעזב איש את אביו ואת אמו ודבק באשתו והיו לבשר אחד”(“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and cleave unto his wife, and they shall become one flesh”).This inscription, while stylistically harmonious with the object, was engraved in the 20th century by a later silversmith, adding a layer of continued ritual use and historical continuity to the goblets’ life.An additional charming and practical feature is that the two cups are designed to fit neatly into one another at the rims, a thoughtful construction that suggests portability and paired use—appropriate for wedding ceremonies and festive occasions.Altogether, these wedding goblets stand as a remarkable example of late 19th-century German Jewish silverwork: richly symbolic, meticulously crafted, and imbued with both aesthetic beauty and enduring ceremonial meaning.Apparently Unmarked.11.3ozt Total Weight

Dimensions:Height: 7.49 in (19 cm)Diameter: 2.84 in (7.2 cm)
Sold As:Set of 2
Materials and class="_9ab89a9d" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box; break-inside: avoid; margin-bottom: 9px; line-height: 24px; list-style: none;">Place of Origin:Germany
Period:Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:1880