Two-handled cup 1630 - 1665

This two-handled cup was made by Dionysio Miseroni, a member of a Milanese family of gem cutters, sometime in the 17th century. Made of rock crystal and mounted in silver gilt, this cup is a fascinating object through which to consider the relationship between art and power. The Miseroni workshop operated as something like a factory for luxury goods; they were closely linked to the court of the Holy Roman Emperor in Prague, where they produced hardstone vessels and other items intended to project an image of imperial magnificence. Such objects testified to the Emperor’s refined taste and unlimited resources, while also subtly evoking the ancient Roman emperors whose authority they sought to emulate. The decoration of such objects, their display in palace collections, and their use at court rituals served to reinforce existing hierarchies. To fully understand this object, it is necessary to consider not only the artistic skill that went into its making but also the social and political context in which it was produced and used.