Cup 17th century

This silver cup, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was created by Hans Heinrich Holzhalb I in the 16th or 17th century. Holzhalb was working in a time when religious art was often used to express complex theological ideas and sociopolitical statements. In that context, the cup is engraved with scenes from the story of Abraham and Hagar, found in the Book of Genesis. It subtly reflects cultural attitudes toward women, class, and power, particularly in the context of marriage and lineage. The story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar wrestles with issues of faith, promise, and the social hierarchies of the time. Sarah, unable to conceive, suggests that Abraham have a child with her Egyptian maidservant, Hagar. This narrative reflects the limited agency and social expectations placed upon women, especially regarding childbearing and social status. The emotional undertones of displacement, longing, and hope—depicted on a drinking vessel—invite us to consider the intimate and personal dimensions of these ancient narratives.