Canister

Unknown

1681 · Gilded silver, enamel · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The six dynamic semicircular lobes are reminiscent of Byzantine and later orthodox sacred architecture but the Ottoman-influenced engraved floral decoration of pomegranates, tulips, and roses against black enamel suggests the canister served a useful purpose. When the domed lid is screwed down, it holds in place a second tidily inserted lid to hermetically seal the gilt interior. The arms belong to Michael Teleki of Szék and his third wife Judith Weér de Köröstarcsa, to whom the inscription VER JUDIT refers.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1681

Medium

Gilded silver, enamel

Culture

Hungarian, possibly Fogaras

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of The Salgo Trust for Education, New York, in memory of Nicolas M. Salgo, 2010