Of vase form on shaped circular pedestal foot overlaid with silver-gilt cagework with English roses, Scottish thistles and Irish shamrocks, the body overlaid with grapevine surrounding monogram EAR beneath a German Royal crown, the silver-gilt domed cover applied with grapevine and surmounted by Hanovarian horse finial, apparently unmarked
14³⁄₄ in. (37.5 cm.) high

Presumably gifted to Ernest Augustus (1771 - 1851), Duke of Cumberland and King of Hanover.
Anonymous sale; Christie's, Geneva, 16 November 1993, lot 136.
Anonymous sale; Christie's, New York, 19 May 2010, lot 68.

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Lot Essay

The crowned monogram EAR is that of Ernest Augustus, 4th son of George III of England, who became King of Hanover in 1837. The iconography presented on this cup, including the English rose, Scottish thistle, Irish shamrock, and the leaping horse of Hanover, are symbolic of Ernest Augustus' dual royal titles, Duke of Cumberland and King of Hanover. When Victoria succeeded William IV as British monarch, under Salic law she could not inherit the Kingdom of Hanover, so the title descended to the Royal Duke instead. The very fine ruby glass appears to be Bohemian or Silesian, suggesting that the cup was made in Hanover as a gift to the new king in 1837.