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Pair of egg-cups

1780–81
Object Place: Europe, Paris, France

Medium/Technique Silver gilt
Dimensions Weight: 6 oz., 7.6 x 5.4 cm (0.37 lb., 3 x 2 1/8 in.)
Credit Line Elizabeth Parke Firestone and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. Collection
Accession Number1993.474.2
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsSilver

DescriptionAn egg cup of silver-gilt and rock crystal in the form of a tripod, the triangular base supported on bun feet and chased with water leaves, with acanthus leaves and a cluster in the middle. Each leg of the tripod ending in a cloved hoof and topped with a ram's head, with ribbon-tied floral swags between. The cup in crystal with a silver-gilt ring of laurel leaves and a cluster drop at the bottom. The upper border chased with foliage and pearls.
Marks Maker's Mark: a crowned fleur-de-lys, 2 grains, JNB, a lyramid (Nocq I p 78): Underside of base. Warden's Mark: 1780-81, a crowned R (Dennis 319): Undersdie of base. Charge Mark: for medium-sized work, 1781-83, interlaced foliate L's (Dennis 319): Underside of base. Discharge Mark: for small work, 1781-83, acherub'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)