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Ostrich egg cup: M.4-1988

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An image of Ostrich egg cup
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Silversmith: Phipps, Thomas
Silversmith: Robinson, Edward II

Entities

Categories

Description

Silver and ostrich egg; the egg with silver rim mount and silver trumpet-shaped circular foot

Silver and ostrich egg; the egg cut to form a deep cup. Its rim is mounted with a deep band of silver, which is plain in the interior, while the outside is engraved with a Greek key pattern. At the base of the egg is a calyx of a sun in splendour with deeply ribbed rays. This and the foot are attached to the base of the cup with a nut and bolt covered by a large silver boss, which is visible inside the cup. The circular foot splays out from the calyx and stands on a reeded rim. The foot is engraved with the crest of a lion rampart holding a Maltese cross.

Legal notes

Purchased with the Rylands Fund

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bought (1988-03-14) by Jess Applin Antiques

Dating

19th Century, Early
George III
1805 - 1806

School or Style

Neoclassical

Components of the work

Cup composed of ostrich egg
Foot composed of silver
Mount composed of silver
To Rim Height 15.4 cm Height 6 in
Across Rim Width 12.8 cm Width 5⅛ in
Border
Crest

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: 'TP' over 'ER'

  • Location: On underside of base
  • Method of creation: Struck
  • Type: Maker's mark

Inscription present: monarch's head

  • Location: On exterior of rim and underside of base
  • Method of creation: Struck
  • Type: Hallmark

Inscription present: lion passant

  • Location: On exterior of rim and underside of base
  • Method of creation: Struck
  • Type: Hallmark
  • Text: K
  • Location: On exterior of rim and underside of base
  • Method of creation: Struck
  • Type: Hallmark

References and bibliographic entries

Related exhibitions

Identification numbers

Accession number: M.4-1988
Primary reference Number: 119270

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 25 March 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Ostrich egg cup" Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/119270 Accessed: 2025-12-05 11:36:42

Citation for Wikipedia

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{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/119270 |title=Ostrich egg cup |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 11:36:42|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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