This exceptional and unusual antique Victorian sterling silver wager cup* has been realistically modelled in the form of a male character in an upright stance.
The cast silver head of the model bears details replicating the facial features and beard.
The wide skirt garment of the figure is embellished with chased decoration replicating the details of the fabric's foliate pattern and texture; due to the ornate garment it can be determined the piece was crafted in form of a noble figure.
The cast silver upstretched arms of this impressive character conjoin with impressive opposing, intertwining scrolling leaf decorated branches.
The branches are connected to a pivoting gimbal-type drinking cup, embellished with chased fluted decoration incorporating a foliate festoon.
The underside of the skirts form a flared bell shaped drinking vessel and retains the original gilded interior.
The hallmarks struck to the surface of this impressive antique wager cup include:
Maker's mark: n (B. Neresheimer & Sohne)
Hanau marks: Untraced**
Importer's mark: BM (B Muller & Son (Berthold Muller))
Import mark: Chester, England
Silver quality/purity mark: lion passant (sterling, 925/1000)
Import date mark: R (1900)
Additional mark: F (foreign manufacture mark)
Such specially commissioned examples are rare to the market; this novelty wager cup is the finest of its type you could hope to acquire.
An antique Victorian silver wager cup, or wedding cup, is a rare and symbolic gift, ideal for weddings, anniversaries or collectors of historic silver. Its ceremonial origin and intricate design embody tradition, unity and enduring craftsmanship.
NOTE: * A wager cup, also known as a marriage or windmill cup, is a ceremonial drinking vessel featuring a large base cup and a smaller, suspended cup above. Traditionally, the bride drinks from the upper cup while the groom drinks from the lower, both simultaneously, without spilling—symbolising balance, unity and shared joy in marriage.
** Hanau pseudo-marks were not registered with an administrative office and no records exist to check them against determining an attributed identification to be a comparison or probability.
Maker: B. Neresheimer & Sohne
Date: 1900
