Wager cup c. 1625

Curator: Before us stands a Wager Cup crafted around 1625 by Gerrit Jacobsen. What a dazzling silver spectacle. What’s your initial take? Editor: Intriguing! It strikes me as both whimsical and ceremonial. There’s something almost fairy-tale-like about the figure balanced above this inverted bell shape. It seems strangely precarious, yet triumphant. Curator: Precarious indeed, and note how the material plays into that feeling. The silver, polished to a bright gleam, accentuates the delicate craftsmanship. It also subtly suggests refinement and affluence. Editor: It feels very much like a "once upon a time" sort of object. Those arching bars with birds on either side contribute a lot. Birds, especially doves, always hint at peace, promise, or even divine communication. Does the piece align with traditional iconography or folklore? Curator: The wager cup form, particularly the figure holding a rotating cup over their head, was quite popular in 16th-17th century Germany and Netherlands. It often took the form of a woman holding a smaller, swiveling cup. Regarding craftsmanship, let's examine the contrast between the bell and the delicate figure. Editor: It reminds me of some interpretations of Diana, Roman goddess of the hunt. She appears to be drawing an arrow. That would play into ideas about female strength and precision but seems a bold image on a vessel likely for celebratory drinking! Curator: Perhaps that’s the wager? You see, a man was meant to drink from the larger cup, while, according to the customs, a woman drank from the smaller cup while he holds it, spilling would be considered the loss of the wager! But going back to your original thoughts, its balanced composition evokes something other worldly, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Absolutely, even today, the object is delightfully eccentric. Thanks for connecting the imagery to social customs! Curator: Indeed, It serves as an invitation to investigate and contextualize an intriguing custom!