Late 16th century German silver and ‘lemon’ parcel-gilt monatsbecher (month beaker) by Hans Erne of Strasbourg, £24,000 at Noonans.
Used almost exclusively in German-speaking countries, they were fashionable between the early 16th and mid 17th centuries.
Many borrowed the allegorical designs of Virgil Solis (1516-64), one of Nuremberg’s most prolific printmakers and book illustrators.
The month of May is depicted on this example made c.1580 by Hans Erne, Strasbourg.
A detail of the late 16th century monatsbecher (month beaker) by Hans Erne of Strasbourg, £24,000 at Noonans.
To the ‘lemon’ parcel-gilt band are scenes of courtship and merrymaking, blooms of lily of the valley (maiglöckchen or ‘little May bells’) and ‘twins’ amid clouds representing the astrological sign for Gemini. The engraved inscription translates as ‘the month of May brings magnificent flowers and makes fresh blooms young and old’.
Keenly contested
The marks to the late 16th century German monatsbecher (month beaker) by Hans Erne of Strasbourg, £24,000 at Noonans.
It was offered as part of Noonans’ (24% buyer’s premium) sale of Jewellery, Watches, Silver, and Objects of Vertu in Mayfair on November 28.
In excellent condition, it was keenly contested at the sale by both the trade and private bidders, ultimately selling to an overseas collector at £24,000 (estimate £2000-3000).
