Of baluster shape, the lower part with lobed cartouches enclosing the mythological bird Sirin on maroon ground flanked by varicolor floral scrolls on dark green ground, below them stylized swans with floral scrolls on pale blue ground, the upper part with stylized varicolor floral and foliate scrolls on cream ground, the gilt rim with twisted ropework borders, the stylized handles with floral and foliate scrolls on cream ground with outer edge of blue pellets, gilt interior, the base with engraved inscription 'To my esteemed friend Frank S. Johnson after 27 years of business association. S.C. Hoagland March 15th 1899', marked under base

7in. (19cm.) high

Provenance
Sotheby's New York, 15 December 1987, lot 264

Lot Notes

The mythical bird Sirin is depicted with a woman's head and breast, who appears in ancient Russian folklore and epics, and who is probably based on the ancient Greek Sirens.

The scratched inventory number probably indicates that this cup was retailed by Faberge.

For similar cups see A. von Solodkoff, Orfvrerie russe du XVII au XIX sicle, (Fribourg, 1981), plate 66, and N.V. Kaliazina et al., Russian Enamel of XII to early XX Century for the State Hermitage Collection, (Leningrad, 1987), plate 131.