HERAMIC STUDIO 
DESIGN FOR CUP AND SAUCER— C. BABCOCK 
RECORD PRICES FOR DRINKING VESSELS AT 
LONDON AUCTION. 
AT Christie's, May 26, was sold an Italian bibcron, 
carved of rock crystal, mounted with enameled gold, 
the price obtained for which, $81,375, created a great 
sensation from the fact that the reserve placed on it by the 
owner, John Gabbittas, of London, was only $25,000. 
The cup is described in the catalogue as Italian work of the 
middle of the 14th century, but the cable informs us that 
the auctioneer announced that it was German, and that 
further, its authenticity being doubted, the British Museum 
experts on being appealed to, had pronounced it a genuine 
14th century piece. It is i2f inches high, and i6\ inches 
long. 
The body of the vessel, together with the cover, may 
be described as roughly resembling a monster, the head 
forming the spout, though the monster shape is lost in the 
fluted shell-like effect of the general outline; applied below 
the neck are two wings. The stem is oviform; the base 
oblong and of quatrefoil outline; carved in low relief with 
cockle-shells. 
The gold mounts chiefly take the form of simple 
mouldings, but have applied strapwork and other orna- 
ments enameled in opaque and translucent colors, and 
further enriched with settings of precious stones. The 
handle of the cover is also of enameled gold, and formed as 
a finely modeled statuette of Neptune sitting astride a 
dolphin, which in turn rests on a wave-pattern base; this 
is outlined with a framing of strapwork, which has scroll 
designs reserved on the gold upon a black and white ground. 
The under side of this oval plaque, showing through the 
crystal cover, is also chased and enameled. This same 
effect through the crystal body may also be seen where the 
stem is joined to the body of the vessel by a gold socket, 
studded by four scroll-shaped supports. 
At the same time was sold a collection of silver, the 
property of the late Louis Huth. A William and Mary, 
large, plain tankard and cover, 12 inches high, with the 
London hall-mark for 1692, is interesting as not only being 
made by Francis Garthorne, the maker of two of the com- 
munion services at Trinity Church, New York, but as an 
historical piece presented by Queen Mary to Simon Janzen 
for having conveyed the king to The Hague in 1691. The 
tankard is cylindrical; the cover flat, surmounted by a 
chased figure of a lion. It is engraved with the royal arms 
and supporters, and around the cover an inscription in 
Dutch, of which the following is a translation: 
When Simon fills this cup with wine, 
Her Majesty's brilliancy in it doth shine; 
And as he the cup to his hps doth hft. 
Does bear remembrance of the royal gift. 
The weight is 94 ounces. The price obtained was 
$10,250. 
A William and Mary large standing cup and cover, 27 
