Two-handled cup with cover 1718 - 1720

This two-handled cup with cover was crafted by Augustin Courtauld, a silversmith of Huguenot descent, active in London during the early 18th century. At the time, Huguenot artisans, who were protestants fleeing religious persecution in France, significantly influenced English silver design, bringing with them sophisticated techniques and continental styles. The cup embodies a paradox. While its ornate, baroque-inspired detailing speaks to the wealth and status of its owner, it is also a testament to the Courtauld family's resilience and adaptation in the face of religious intolerance. Each flourish and curve is a negotiation between tradition and the new cultural landscape of London. Consider how an object like this, made for intimate domestic use, becomes a display of identity, silently narrating stories of displacement, assimilation, and success.