The photos of the lot are informative and indicative, and cannot provide a highly detailed view of the object from all angles. We recommend a careful physical inspection of the lot before bidding.
The photos of the lot are informative and indicative, and cannot provide a highly detailed view of the object from all angles. We recommend a careful physical inspection of the lot before bidding.
39Т. "David and Goliath" Jug or "Jug with Unicorn". Exceptional gilded silver jug with lid, Sibiu, 1712/1713 and 1715-1720, extreme rarity, museum piece
1644, Levoča, Košický kraj, Slovacia - 1713, Sibiu, Monarhia Habsburgică
cca. 1680, Sibiu, Monarhia Habsburgică - 1730, Sibiu, Monarhia Habsburgică
Starting price
Pretul de pornire si cel estimat nu sunt preturi de vanzare efective
EUR 35.000
Session
Wed, 1 July 2026 19:00
0 Zile, 16 Ore, 28 Minute
Time remaining until live auction starts
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Silver, partially gilded, cast, hammered, chiseled, engraved, punch marked. The magnificent cup is undoubtedly the work of the famous Sibiu goldsmith Sebastian Hann, whose skill in rendering historical scenes in relief has not been matched by any other Transylvanian master. Such a scene - with numerous individually crafted characters, captured in different positions and movements - represents on the cylindrical body of the cup the biblical battle between David and Goliath, fought before the Israelite army (the chosen people) and the enemy Philistines. Inscriptions: "1 SAMUEL 17. "DAVID STRIKES THE GIANT GOLIATH IN THE NAME OF CHRIST"." "1 SAMUEL 15. "SAMUEL KILLS THE KING OF THE AMALECTS IN FRONT OF SAUL"." This part of the cup reflects a preference for a particular type of iconographic composition, the style and artistic quality specific to Sebastian Hann. Given Hann's death, the lid was completed by the master goldsmith Michael Hossmann, whose seal is imprinted on the bottom and on the cup lid; it is worth noting that no other similar object attributed to Hossmann is known.
Around the gilded lid and the curvature of the base ring, decorative friezes unfold on which medallions with scenes from David's life alternate with plant arabesques, made by Michael Hossmann with the obvious intention of harmonizing with the main historizing scene. The ear-shaped handle carries a herm bust and is decorated with flowing vines. The lid button represents a cast unicorn, a fabulous creature belonging to the coat of arms of the noble Kornis family from Gönz-Ruszka and which could be the key to identifying the sponsor (The lid button of the "Semriger II" cup from 1682, representing a raised, cast lion holding a laurel wreath, also makes reference to the coat of arms of the count Matthias Semriger, the one who had ordered the piece).
The "David and Goliath" mug is mentioned in the inventory list attached to the will of the Saxon count Andreas Teutsch from 1731:
"A large silver cup with lid, with the story of David and Goliath, gilded at the feet and at the lid ornament; M[ark] 6 [Pliset] 36, fl. 240." The Sibiu doctor Andreas Teutsch - who held the highest administrative positions of Hermannstadt, those of mayor and count of the Saxons in Transylvania - was a close associate of Sebastian Hann and, at the same time, the brother-in-law of Sigismund Kornis (the governor of the imperial troops in Transylvania).
References
Dâmboiu, Daniela, "David and Goliath" Cup or "Unicorn" Cup, work of two Sibiu goldsmiths: Sebastian Hann and Michael Hossmann, from "Under the Sign of Art. Studies in the Honor of Academician Marius Porumb on his 80th Birthday", coordinators Ciprian Firea and Aurel Rustoiu, Cluj-Napoca, Mega Publishing House, 2023. Dâmboiu, Daniela, Transylvanian Goldsmith's Works XV.–XIX. Century. Dr. Jürgen Fischer Collection, Heilbronn, 2022. Guy Marica, Viorica, Sebastian Hann, Cluj, 1972. Köszeghy, Elémer, Goldsmith’s marks in Hungary from the Middle Ages to 1867. Sign of Goldsmiths of Hungary from the Middle Ages until 1867, Budapest, 1936. Monok, István; Ötvös, Péter; Verők, Attila (eds.), Transylvanian Book Houses IV/1. Libraries in Transylvania IV/1, Budapest, 2004. Roth, Victor, Artistic Monuments from the Saxon Churches of Transylvania. Goldsmith's Works, Hermannstadt, 1922. Sievert, Lorenz, Sebastian Hann. A Contribution to His Life Story, in Messages from the Baron Brukenthal Museum, II, 1932. Végh, Gyula, Exhibition of old artistic monuments of Transylvania in the Museum of Applied Arts, Budapest, 1931. Wollmann, Volker, An unknown work of the goldsmith Michael Hossmann in the Transylvanian Museum, in Transylvanian Museum Gundelsheim. News of the Friends Circle, Nr. 16, 1995. Wollmann, Volker; Dordea, Ion; Slotta, Rainer (coord.), Silver and Salt in Transylvania, Bd. I.
Dimensions
weight 1635 g, custom h=32 cm
Description
silver and gilded silver
Research information
The sumptuous cup with lid, whose body was made by the renowned Sibiu goldsmith Sebastian Hann, also carries on the edge of the lid the “MH” mark of the Sibiu goldsmith master Michael Hossmann, thus recording the cooperation and mastery of both goldsmith artists. On the cylindrical wall of the cup unfold two biblical scenes: the battle between David and Goliath and the scene where Samuel kills Agag, the king of the Amalekites. The preference for such historiated iconographic compositions and the descriptive details are specific to Sebastian Hann's artistic talent. Sebastian Hann transposed the scene of the battle between David and Goliath after Antonio Tempesta's engraving "David killing Goliath", published by Nicolas van Aelst. The final moment of the fight, in which David cuts off Goliath's head, is depicted in the center of the scene. For the second scene on the cup's body, Sebastian Hann took up the theme of Matthäus Merian's engraving "Samuel killing Agag". The symbolism of the biblical episode represents the fulfillment of the divine command to punish the Amalekites. The border of the lid and the base of the cup displays decorative friezes with medallions and gilded arabesques. Their execution belongs to Michael Hossmann, identified by the smith's stamp on the lid. The semi-circular handle is adorned with a female bust and acanthus leaves, and inside the lid Hephaestus/Vulcan is depicted with Aphrodite/Venus and other mythological characters. The lid is surmounted by a unicorn, a fabulous animal found in the Kornis von Gönz-Ruszka family crest. This detail may be the key to identifying the patron of the piece. The large cup with the lid “David and Goliath” is mentioned in the estate lists drawn up in 1731 after the death of Andreas Teutsch, former mayor of Sibiu and saxon count. It is plausible that one of the Kornis brothers ordered the cup from Sebastian Hann in 1712. After the goldsmith's death, the piece was completed by Michael Hossmann. Michael Hossmann also made other pieces for the Kornis family, including alliance glasses made in 1721 for Ștefan Kornis. The remarkable "David and Goliath" cup reflects the artistic mastery of Sibiu goldsmiths and the relationships between patrons, goldsmiths, and collectors.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For clarifications regarding the bidding procedure, hammer price costs, guarantee, payment, and collection terms for the winning lot, we recommend carefully reading/re-reading the Bidding Regulations.
For additional information regarding the lot and the auction, please contact the Art Consultants Department.
Detalii
Silver, partially gilded, cast, hammered, chiseled, engraved, punch marked. The magnificent cup is undoubtedly the work of the famous Sibiu goldsmith Sebastian Hann, whose skill in rendering historical scenes in relief has not been matched by any other Transylvanian master. Such a scene - with numerous individually crafted characters, captured in different positions and movements - represents on the cylindrical body of the cup the biblical battle between David and Goliath, fought before the Israelite army (the chosen people) and the enemy Philistines. Inscriptions: "1 SAMUEL 17. "DAVID STRIKES THE GIANT GOLIATH IN THE NAME OF CHRIST"." "1 SAMUEL 15. "SAMUEL KILLS THE KING OF THE AMALECTS IN FRONT OF SAUL"." This part of the cup reflects a preference for a particular type of iconographic composition, the style and artistic quality specific to Sebastian Hann. Given Hann's death, the lid was completed by the master goldsmith Michael Hossmann, whose seal is imprinted on the bottom and on the cup lid; it is worth noting that no other similar object attributed to Hossmann is known.
Around the gilded lid and the curvature of the base ring, decorative friezes unfold on which medallions with scenes from David's life alternate with plant arabesques, made by Michael Hossmann with the obvious intention of harmonizing with the main historizing scene. The ear-shaped handle carries a herm bust and is decorated with flowing vines. The lid button represents a cast unicorn, a fabulous creature belonging to the coat of arms of the noble Kornis family from Gönz-Ruszka and which could be the key to identifying the sponsor (The lid button of the "Semriger II" cup from 1682, representing a raised, cast lion holding a laurel wreath, also makes reference to the coat of arms of the count Matthias Semriger, the one who had ordered the piece).
The "David and Goliath" mug is mentioned in the inventory list attached to the will of the Saxon count Andreas Teutsch from 1731:
"A large silver cup with lid, with the story of David and Goliath, gilded at the feet and at the lid ornament; M[ark] 6 [Pliset] 36, fl. 240." The Sibiu doctor Andreas Teutsch - who held the highest administrative positions of Hermannstadt, those of mayor and count of the Saxons in Transylvania - was a close associate of Sebastian Hann and, at the same time, the brother-in-law of Sigismund Kornis (the governor of the imperial troops in Transylvania).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For clarifications regarding the bidding procedure, hammer price costs, guarantee, payment, and collection terms for the winning lot, we recommend carefully reading/re-reading the Bidding Regulations.
For additional information regarding the lot and the auction, please contact the Art Consultants Department.
References
Dâmboiu, Daniela, "David and Goliath" Cup or "Unicorn" Cup, work of two Sibiu goldsmiths: Sebastian Hann and Michael Hossmann, from "Under the Sign of Art. Studies in the Honor of Academician Marius Porumb on his 80th Birthday", coordinators Ciprian Firea and Aurel Rustoiu, Cluj-Napoca, Mega Publishing House, 2023. Dâmboiu, Daniela, Transylvanian Goldsmith's Works XV.–XIX. Century. Dr. Jürgen Fischer Collection, Heilbronn, 2022. Guy Marica, Viorica, Sebastian Hann, Cluj, 1972. Köszeghy, Elémer, Goldsmith’s marks in Hungary from the Middle Ages to 1867. Sign of Goldsmiths of Hungary from the Middle Ages until 1867, Budapest, 1936. Monok, István; Ötvös, Péter; Verők, Attila (eds.), Transylvanian Book Houses IV/1. Libraries in Transylvania IV/1, Budapest, 2004. Roth, Victor, Artistic Monuments from the Saxon Churches of Transylvania. Goldsmith's Works, Hermannstadt, 1922. Sievert, Lorenz, Sebastian Hann. A Contribution to His Life Story, in Messages from the Baron Brukenthal Museum, II, 1932. Végh, Gyula, Exhibition of old artistic monuments of Transylvania in the Museum of Applied Arts, Budapest, 1931. Wollmann, Volker, An unknown work of the goldsmith Michael Hossmann in the Transylvanian Museum, in Transylvanian Museum Gundelsheim. News of the Friends Circle, Nr. 16, 1995. Wollmann, Volker; Dordea, Ion; Slotta, Rainer (coord.), Silver and Salt in Transylvania, Bd. I.
Dimensions
weight 1635 g, custom h=32 cm
Description
silver and gilded silver
Research information
The sumptuous cup with lid, whose body was made by the renowned Sibiu goldsmith Sebastian Hann, also carries on the edge of the lid the “MH” mark of the Sibiu goldsmith master Michael Hossmann, thus recording the cooperation and mastery of both goldsmith artists. On the cylindrical wall of the cup unfold two biblical scenes: the battle between David and Goliath and the scene where Samuel kills Agag, the king of the Amalekites. The preference for such historiated iconographic compositions and the descriptive details are specific to Sebastian Hann's artistic talent. Sebastian Hann transposed the scene of the battle between David and Goliath after Antonio Tempesta's engraving "David killing Goliath", published by Nicolas van Aelst. The final moment of the fight, in which David cuts off Goliath's head, is depicted in the center of the scene. For the second scene on the cup's body, Sebastian Hann took up the theme of Matthäus Merian's engraving "Samuel killing Agag". The symbolism of the biblical episode represents the fulfillment of the divine command to punish the Amalekites. The border of the lid and the base of the cup displays decorative friezes with medallions and gilded arabesques. Their execution belongs to Michael Hossmann, identified by the smith's stamp on the lid. The semi-circular handle is adorned with a female bust and acanthus leaves, and inside the lid Hephaestus/Vulcan is depicted with Aphrodite/Venus and other mythological characters. The lid is surmounted by a unicorn, a fabulous animal found in the Kornis von Gönz-Ruszka family crest. This detail may be the key to identifying the patron of the piece. The large cup with the lid “David and Goliath” is mentioned in the estate lists drawn up in 1731 after the death of Andreas Teutsch, former mayor of Sibiu and saxon count. It is plausible that one of the Kornis brothers ordered the cup from Sebastian Hann in 1712. After the goldsmith's death, the piece was completed by Michael Hossmann. Michael Hossmann also made other pieces for the Kornis family, including alliance glasses made in 1721 for Ștefan Kornis. The remarkable "David and Goliath" cup reflects the artistic mastery of Sibiu goldsmiths and the relationships between patrons, goldsmiths, and collectors.
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