Gottfried Semper, one of the most famous architects of the nineteenth century, the man who built the historic Dresden Opera House, designed this goblet. It’s rather reminiscent of late-mannerist goblets of the seventeenth century, of which you have seen a number in this exhibition. However, Semper has divided up the shaft and foot of this silver-gilt vessel in an original way. He has turned them into elaborate architectural elements – mostly Gothic in style.
Seated along the shaft are four allegorical figures. The woman with the banner represents Equality; the one with the open book, Law. The female with the spear is a symbol of Courage, and the final one – with a horn of plenty – represents the Citizenry. On the lid, you see a knight with his arm placed protectively around the shoulders of a burgher.
This goblet was presented to General Bevilaqua by the Dresden Militia. He had been its commander for a number of years. The militia was founded in 1830, after there had been unrest in the city. Its task was to quell any civil disobedience.
- Location & Dating
- Dresden, dated 1841
- Material & Technique
- Silver, embossed, cast, chiselled, engraved, gilt; chalcedony, turquoise, jasper, garnet
- Dimenions
- H 48,6 cm, Dm Deckel 15,0 cm, Dm Fuß 16,0 cm / Gewicht: 1.417 g
- Museum
- Grünes Gewölbe
- Inventory number
- IV 107