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Covered Beaker

ca. 1470
On view at The Met Cloisters in Gallery 16
This lavish silver beaker from the medieval town hall of Ingolstadt, in Bavaria, bear clear witness to the prosperity of the city and its residents, above all the fraternal members of the town council. The town hall boasted a treasury full of silver, and an on-site pub or "Trinkstube," in addition to its predicable tall towers and a fine clock.

Tiny bunches of grapes, fashioned from green and red glass beads, peek out from the vine tendrils at the base, quietly proclaiming this to be a vessel for wine. Hirsute wildmen supporting the base hint at a party atmosphere. The engraved hunting scene on the exterior, complete with unicorn, is not original.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Covered Beaker
  • Artist: Hans Greiff (German, active ca. 1470–died 1516 Ingolstadt)
  • Date: ca. 1470
  • Geography: Made in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany
  • Culture: German
  • Medium: Silver, gilded silver, enamel, and glass
  • Dimensions: Overall: H: 14 3/8 in. (36.5 cm)
  • Classification: Metalwork-Silver
  • Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection, 1950
  • Object Number: 50.7.1a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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Covered Beaker, Hans Greiff German, Silver, gilt, German
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Covered Beaker, Hans Greiff German, Silver, gilded silver, enamel, and cold enamel, German
Covered Beaker
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Ewer with Wildman Finial, Silver gilt, enamel, and paint, German
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