Standing Cup
Nicholas Pfaff
(German, 1566–1612)
about 1600-1610
Medium/TechniqueIvory
DimensionsOverall: 15.5 x 8.9 x 7 cm (6 1/8 x 3 1/2 x 2 3/4 in.)
Credit LineJohn H. and Ernestine A. Payne Fund, Mary S. and Edward J. Holmes Fund, Beatrice Haines Fund and Frank B. Bemis Fund
Accession number1996.31
On View
Not on viewClassificationsVessels
Collections
Pfaff specialized in small, often bizarre ivory carvings, prized both for the sculptor's virtuosity and for the beauty of the material. This extraordinary cup is carved with a lion's head its jaws wide open and its hide hanging down the back a mermaid with wings outspread at front, and a foot of coiled dolphins. In the 18th century, it formed part of a Kunstkammer assembled in Baden-Baden, Germany, by Sibylla Augusta (1675-1733), Duchess of Sachsen-Launenburg.
ProvenanceSibylla Augusta (1675-1733), Duchess of Sachsen-Launenburg and widow of Margrave Ludwig Wilhelm of Baden Baden (1655-1707); by descent through Margraves and Grand Dukes of Baden [to Max Margrave], and housed at Neues Schloss, Baden-Baden, Germany; October 5, 1995, sold at Neues Schloss sale, Sotheby's, Baden-Baden, lot 282 and bought by J. Kugel Antiquaires, Paris; 1996, sold by J. Kugel and bought by the MFA through the John H. and Ernestine A. Payne Fund, Mary S. and Edward J. Holmes Fund, Beatrice Haines Fund and Frank B. Bemis Fund. (Accession Date: March 27, 1996)
Nicholas Sprimont (born in Liege, France, active in London)
1745–46, with later alterations
