Bratina 19th century

"Bratina" is a 19th-century silver cup, made by Elkington & Co. in England, and part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. The Bratina is a type of drinking vessel with a rounded body and a short stem foot. This example is heavily embellished with intricate floral designs repoussé, a metalworking technique that involves hammering the metal from the back to create a raised design on the front. The gold color is achieved through electroplating, a process invented in 1840 by Elkington & Co. The cup's intricate detail and lustrous finish are characteristic of Victorian decorative arts.