Cup 19th century

This silver gilt cup was made by Elkington & Co., a firm renowned for its innovative metalworking techniques. It is an electrotype, meaning that it was created by electrodeposition rather than being cast or hand-wrought. This process involves using an electric current to reduce dissolved metal cations so that they form a coherent metal coating on an electrode. This allowed for the relatively quick and inexpensive replication of complex forms, democratizing access to luxury goods. The cup’s elaborate, stylized foliate ornament would have been initially modeled; this form then served as the template for the electrotyping process. The gilding adds a final layer of refinement. The cup speaks volumes about the rise of industrial production in the 19th century, and the changing relationship between labor, technology, and consumption. By embracing new technologies like electrotyping, Elkington & Co. blurred the lines between art and industry, and also challenged traditional notions of value and authenticity in art.