Pair of Irish Silver Cups, Dublin c.1750 Thomas Johnston

These are an exceptional pair of mid-18th century Irish silver 2-handled cups complete with original chased decoration in the Rococo style.

The quality is top drawer with both cups having a very hefty feel in the hand, oozing high class with the superbly executed vine tendril and foliate chasing and the original gilt interiors just adding to the overall opulence. The urn-shaped cups have two scroll handles and stand on a pedestal foot. There is an asymmetric cartouche to both sides; one side bearing an engraved harp crest, whilst the other is cleverly engraved with the "R" initial of the original owner.

The vine leaf and grape decoration suggest that these cups were probably once intended for drinking wine and the gilding to the interiors lends support to this suggestion as the gold will protect the silver from the corrosive effects of red wine.

The cups are a matching pair with identical, crisply stamped Dublin hallmarks for Thomas Johnston. Typically with much Irish silverware of the mid-18th century no date letter has been stamped, but with patience the exact year could be ascertained from the style of Hibernia and crowned harp marks. The condition is superb throughout - they are outstanding examples of Irish Rococo silver.