An early silver beaker, Nuremberg 1658/59

Item number: 60143

An early baroque silver beaker,
Nuremberg 1658/59 by Reinhold Rühl

The body tapering towards the base and showing chased and engraved floral decoration. The interior with remnants of the original gilding.
This early baroque silver beaker is in very good and authentic condition and epitomises the high floral style which was in fashion during the 17th century.

8.2 cm / 3.22″ height, 7.8 cm / 3.07″ diameter (top rim), 5.9 cm / 2.32″ diameter (base); 94.9 g / 3.05 oz
Approx. 0.72 ltr. capacity

Most of Reinhold Rühl’s silver works are drinking vessels such as silver beakers on ball feet, Rummer-form beakers and tankards, most of which feature embossed floral or fruit decorations in the early Baroque style. There is also evidence of standing cups by Reinhold Rühl, which are among the last of their kind in Nuremberg in the 17th century, as well as a table fountain. A standing cup by Reinhold Rühl forms part of the collection of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg (see here).
The Nuremberg townmark is documented for works made between 1658 and 1659.

The Nuremberg silversmith Reinhold Rühl

The exact year of Reinhold Rühl’s birth is not known, but his baptism can be dated to 18 January 1622. He started his apprenticeship with Paulus Braunacker from 1634 to 1639, but had to complete it with Wolff Straub from 1639 to 1641 due to Braunacker’s departure from Nuremberg. On 10 August 1652, he passed his master craftsman’s examination, followed by his goldsmith’s oath on 13 March 1653.
Nuremberg court records show that Reinhold Rühl was punished for smuggling spirits in 1657. Reinhold Rühl fell ill in 1683 and was therefore admitted to Nuremberg’s Heilig-Geist-Spital in 1686, at which point his work as a goldsmith came to an end. He died of old age in 1705.

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