Collar of the cup

The cylindrical ivory collar of the cup has a slender belly topped with an edge in the form of recurrent leaves running around. The belly was adorned with rich relief decoration consisting of a portrait of King Augustus II from head to waist in an oval medallion on one side. Around the medallion runs an inscription: AUGUSTUS REX POLONIAE 1697. On both sides of the medallion, two rectangular escutcheons were engraved: one with a Saxony coat of arms and German coats of arms, and the other with a small Saxony coat of arms in a small two-part shield placed against the background of a large square four-part shield with coats of arms of Poland and Lithuania – the Eagle and Pogonia. Over the shield, we can see a helmet with a closed crown topped with the Polish eagle. The helmet is accompanied by mantling on both sides. The fourth side of the cup is occupied by a stylised plant ornament in the form of a candelabra. The date shown in the relief – 1697 – is the year when Augustus II was crowned King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. The object has been kept in the Wilanów collection at least since the middle of the 19th century, which is evidenced by its presence at the exhibition of antiquities organised in 1856. The originators of the exhibition, the income from which was allocated to support the Shelter Home of the Blessed Virgin Mary, were the then owners of the Wilanów estate: August Potocki (1806–1867) and his wife Aleksandra née Potocka (1818–1892). In the catalogue published on the occasion of the exhibition, the object is listed under no. 997: ‘The stem of the glass is beautifully carved from one ivory piece with a bust of Augustus II. A Saxony product dating back to the late 17th century.’ Unfortunately, we have no documents that would confirm the dating of the item at the end of the 17th century that is indicated in the description in the catalogue. Ivory products – very valuable artifacts due to their hardly accessible and demanding material – were constantly one of the particularly sought-after luxury items among art collectors.