Two-handled cup with cover 1672 - 1673

This is a silver two-handled cup with a cover, crafted by Thomas Jenkins around the turn of the 18th century. The cup presents a study in contrasts between its smooth, reflective surfaces and intricate, engraved detailing. Notice how the cup’s cylindrical body, with its symmetrical handles and finial-topped lid, is offset by the flourish of engraved ornamentation. The symmetry is an important quality, reflecting the period's emphasis on balance and order. The stylized foliate motifs and heraldic elephant disrupt the cup’s otherwise rigid geometry, introducing a layer of visual complexity. The cup almost resembles a sign—a coded emblem of status and identity in the cultural milieu of the period. Each carefully considered detail, from the curve of the handles to the meticulously rendered crest, operates within a semiotic system, communicating messages about wealth, lineage, and taste. Consider how the cup's function as both an aesthetic object and a utilitarian vessel invites contemplation on the relationship between form and utility. It doesn't merely serve a purpose; it embodies a complex interplay of social, cultural, and aesthetic values, inviting ongoing interpretation.