Auction 59 · Lot 2
Comprised of architectural arches and fluted ionic columns, featuring four enamel portraits of King Solomon. Marked by Izzy Landau. Height: 4 inches.
- Estimate
- $2,000–$3,000
- Hammer price
- $4,000
Historical auction record. Hammer prices exclude buyer’s premium and taxes.
author
ISRAELI SILVER-GILT AND ENAMEL KIDDUSH BEAKER.
summary
The panels on this cup personify King Solomon - great in wisdom, righteousness, wealth and power. The images depict him robust on throne with scepter - perhaps in anticipation of the visit of the Queen of Sheba; studying the plans for the building of the Temple - his greatest accomplishment to which he spared no expense and dedicated with prayer and sacrifice; holding his written wisdom - which include the Books of Proverbs and Song of Songs; and finally, seated upon his lion-attended throne in contemplation of life as futile as described in his Ecclesiastes.