SILVER CEREMONIAL CUP. SPAIN,16TH CENTURY.

Catavinos or trembling. Silver in its color. Spain, 16th century. With hallmarks, illegible. Cup without foot or handles, silver in its color and with a circular base, rim flared outwards and a concave center on the inside, which presents an embossed decoration based on plant elements (flowers on the rim, other different ones towards center around a central floral motif and alternating with rectangular motifs), veneered shapes (interspersed with flowers on the edge) and a small band of stars towards the edge of the piece. At this end, it presents a partially frustrated hallmark, in which the letters “AIEB” can still be read, followed by a rectangular motif placed vertically. This type of drinking glasses, sometimes also known as bernegales, were used on special occasions (ceremonies...), hence their material and decoration, and they were very common during the reign of the Habsburgs in Spain. Although they were objects for civil use, it was not uncommon for them to be donated or commissioned for use in churches or liturgical settings. Similar examples can be found in very few private collections and only in a few major museums. For example, similar bernegales from the 16th century are preserved in the Fundación Valencia de Don Juan (Madrid), and those from the 17th century are somewhat more abundant, as shown by those in the Lázaro Galdiano Museum (inventory 3910 and 3916).

· Size: 16x16x2 cms.