Two-Handled Cup 1703 - 1704

Curator: Well, isn’t that striking? It’s sort of austere, despite all the flourishes. Editor: That’s exactly what caught my eye! All that silver, that hammered texture... it's almost brutally elegant, isn't it? Like a medieval goblet with a secret punk rock heart. Curator: Indeed. This piece, a two-handled cup, is attributed to Timothy Ley who was active in the late 17th century. It's a fascinating example of early American silver craftsmanship, housed right here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Those handles are like stylized twigs, and then you have this ornate cartouche with "M & S"... a betrothal cup, perhaps? It speaks of tradition, family—a shared history. Curator: Precisely. It reflects the social customs of the time, these cups were often presented as gifts, marking significant life events. The form harkens back to European precedents, but with a distinct New World touch. Editor: I keep thinking about the hands that held this cup, the stories it could tell... Curator: Visual symbols are vessels of memory. Editor: Beautifully put. It really makes you consider the weight of history in such a tangible way.