Technical Description
An unusual pair of 19th century engraved champagne glasses dating to c1880.
They have Ogee bowls with hollows stems all the way to the feet. They have slice cutting the the base of the bowl which continues down the stems. Conical feet with polished pontils.
They have been engraved with rampant demi-lions vested and holding a cross crosslet fitchy above the motto "FINIS CORONAT OPUS".
This motto has been used by many notable families and was in fact chosen by Sir Ernest Bickham Sweet-Escott (a former British governor of Seychelles) to be the motto of Seychelles’ in 1901, later placed on the British flag, Union Jack, in the Seychelles 1903.
"Finis Coronat Opus", a phrase traditionally attributed to Ovid and Latin for "The End Crowns the Work". Publius Ovidius Naso (43 BC – 18 AD), known in English as Ovid, was a Roman poet who lived during the reign of Augustus. His poetry was much imitated during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, and greatly influenced Western art and literature.
A very nice pair of hollows stems, unusual to find the bowl form with a hollow stem (normally coupe and pan top) and the engravings are excellent.
Date & Origin
England, c1880. Period of Victoria.
Condition
Excellent, age-related wear as shown, no chips cracks or restoration
Dimensions
Height: 14.1cm Rim diameter: 5.9cm, Foot diameter: 7.3cm.
This item is out of stock.
