Wunderkammer: Cabinet of Curiosities
'Rooms of wonder' showcase a collector's knowledge of the world
LORENZ BILLER
Nautilus cup
late 17th century with early 19th century additionsRCIN 50610
Nautilus cup©
A nautilus cup is created from the shell of a nautilus pompoilius, found in the Western Pacific. The chambered shell was usually stripped of its outer layer to reveal the nacreous surface below and this was sometimes carved into the form of a helmet or sea-monster.
This is the second of two nautilus cups purchased by George IV in 1826. It came with a red morocco case and was already jewelled at this date. The form of the kneeling Atlas, seen here, is characteristic of nautilus cups produced in Augsburg.
Bibliographic reference(s)
p. 80, pl. XL, 3 (EAJ : Jones, E.A., 1911. The Gold and Silver of Windsor Castle, Letchworth)
