Standing cup 1600 - 1615

This silver standing cup was crafted by Michel Mader in the late 16th or early 17th century. Note how the body of the cup is decorated with a pattern reminiscent of scales or feathers, motifs that stretch back to antiquity, often symbolizing protection and divinity. Similar patterns can be seen in ancient Egyptian art, adorning the garments of pharaohs, or the scales of dragons in medieval bestiaries. The cup's base features stylized foliage, an echo of nature's abundance. This symbol transcends time, appearing in various forms across cultures, from the acanthus leaves in classical architecture to the floral patterns in Renaissance paintings. The subconscious desire to connect with nature, perhaps as a means of controlling its unpredictability, reveals itself through our need to represent it. Such symbols, passed down through generations, remind us of the cyclical nature of history, where ancient motifs resurface, transformed, yet retaining their primal power.