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Pair of egg-cups
French (Paris)
1780–81
Object Place: Europe, Paris, France
Medium/Technique
Silver gilt
Dimensions
Weight: 6 oz., 7.6 x 7.6 cm (0.37 lb., 3 x 3 in.)
Credit Line
Elizabeth Parke Firestone and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. Collection
Accession Number1993.474.1
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsSilver
DescriptionAn egg cup of rock crystal and silver-gilt in the form of a tripod, the triangular base supported on bun feet and chased with water leaves, with acanthus leaves and a cluster on top. Each leg ends in a cloved hoof and is topped with a ram's head, with ribbon-tied floral swags between. The crystal cup with a ring of silver-gilt laurel leaves and a cluster drop at the bottom. The upper edge in silver gilt, chased with foliage and pearls.
Marks
Maker's Mark: a crowned fleur-de-lys, 2 grains, JNB, a pyramid (Nocq I p 78): Underside of base. No Warden's Mark. CHarge Mark: for medium-sized work, 1781-83, interlaced foliate L's (Dennis 19): Underside of base. Discharge Mark: for small work, 1781-83, a cherub's head (Dennis 18): Edge of base. Other: Illegible mark, edge of base.
ProvenanceBy 1906, Chasles, Paris. By 1925, Leon Helft, Paris. By 1926, Puiforcat, Paris. By 1940, Mme. de Peyster, New York. By 1945, Jacques Helft, Paris. Elizabeth Parke Firestone (1897-1990) and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. (1898-1973), Akron, OH and Newport, RI; 1993; gift of the Estate of Elizabeth Parke Firestone and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. to the MFA. (Accession date: May 26, 1993)