Double cup, c1590, (1881). Etching of one half of double standing cup, made in Germany by Hans Petzold of Nuremberg, (bowl and stem) and Christoph Lencker of Augsburg, (foot). Double cups were composed of two identical halves and made two goblets when separated. They were traditionally given as wedding presents and used as 'welcome' cups for shared drinking by guilds and other institutions. This one is silver-gilt, engraved and chased. From "The South Kensington Museum", a book of engraved illustrations, with descriptions, of the works of art in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (formerly known as the South Kensington Museum). [Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington, London, 1881]