Sleeve Cup

ca. 1670

Nicholas Wollaston English, active 1627-1670

On View

British, Level 3, South Wing

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Provenance

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Credit Line for Reproduction

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About the Artwork

This cup is one of only twenty-five known examples of English sleeve cups, so-called because of the pierced sleeve encasing the cylindrical cup and lid. The silver gilt cup intentionally shows through the sleeve, creating a rich interplay of silver and gold. The sleeve, cast and chased in high relief, depicts eagles with outstretched wings surrounded by dense foliate scrolls. The unusual eagle feet and finial are found on only one other sleeve cup (now in the collection of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, London). Although the majority are not hallmarked, sleeve cups probably date to the reign of King Charles II (1660–85). These cups, masterpieces of the baroque silversmith's art, undoubtedly served as presentation gifts.

Title Sleeve Cup

Artwork Date ca. 1670

Artist Nicholas Wollaston

Life Dates active 1627-1670

Nationality Please note: Definitions for nationality may vary significantly, depending on chronology and world events. Some definitions include: Belonging to a people having a common origin based on a geography and/or descent and/or tradition and/or culture and/or religion and/or language, or sharing membership in a legally defined nation. English

Culture Please note: Cultures may be defined by the language, customs, religious beliefs, social norms, and material traits of a group. Unknown

Medium Silver, gold

Dimensions Overall: 7 9/16 × 7 7/8 × 5 3/4 inches, 1 kg 189.4 g (19.2 × 20 × 14.6 cm, 2 pounds 10 ounces) Overall (cup): 4 7/8 × 7 7/8 × 5 3/4 inches (12.4 × 20 × 14.6 cm) Overall (cover): 2 15/16 × 5 1/4 inches (7.5 × 13.3 cm)

Classification Silver

Department European Sculpture and Dec Arts

Credit Booth American Company Centennial Gift in memory of Ralph Harman Booth, President of the Detroit Museum of Art, Founding President Arts Commission and Detroit Institute of Arts

Accession Number This unique number is assigned to an individual artwork as part of the cataloguing process at the time of entry into the permanent collection. Most frequently, accession numbers begin with the year in which the artwork entered the museum’s holdings. For example, 2008.3 refers to the year of acquisition and notes that it was the 3rd of that year. The DIA has a few additional systems—no longer assigned—that identify specific donors or museum patronage groups. 1985.36

Markings

Inscriptions ------

Marks Marks, on bottom of cup: NW Marks, on underside of lip of cover: NW

Provenance

Duke of Northumberland

(S. J. Shrubsole, New York, New York, USA)

May 3, 1984, (Sotheby's, London, England) lot no. 53. Booth American Company (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

1985-present, gift to the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

For more information on provenance and its important function in the museum, please visit:

Provenance page

Exhibition History

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The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.

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Published References

Antiques (January 1985): p. 59 (ill.).

"Family Art Game," DIA Advertising Supplement, Detroit Free Press, May 18, 1986, p. 13 (ill.).

Sales cat., Sotheby's. London, May 3, 1984, no. 53.

Barnet, P. "From the Middle Ages to the Victorians." Apollo 124, no. 298 (December 1986): pp. 501-503.

Darr, A.P. "European sculpture and decorative arts acquired by the Detroit Institute of Arts 1978-87." The Burlington Magazine 130 (June 1988): p. 496 (fig. 104).

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Catalogue Raisoneé

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Credit Line for Reproduction

Nicholas Wollaston, Sleeve Cup, ca. 1670, silver, gold. Detroit Institute of Arts, Booth American Company Centennial Gift in memory of Ralph Harman Booth, President of the Detroit Museum of Art, Founding President Arts Commission and Detroit Institute of Arts, 1985.36.