Beaker 1720

This small, silver beaker, or drinking cup, was created in 1720 by German artist Esaias Busch III. The beaker is decorated with an intricate design of a woman, two cherubs and a winged figure gathering grapes within a woodland setting. The detailed design suggests a scene from a classical myth, potentially referencing the god Bacchus, the god of wine and revelry. This piece is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and is a fine example of the decorative art of the Baroque period.