17th century Dutch marriage beaker.

17th century Dutch marriage beaker.
17th century Dutch marriage beaker, having a tall, flaring body joined to a deeply recessed foot. The body expertly engraved with strapwork, birds, floral motifs, and soldiers. The case for this being a cup associated with marriage is seen in the engraved scenes: Christ with Mary seated at a table at the Wedding in Cana, with Christ gesturing to a servant as one pours the water into another vessel; a second scene shows the baptism of Christ, alluding to the future baptism of children. In between these scenes is a suspended church bell, an impaled crest denoting the union of two families, and the engraved date 1631, the year of the wedding for which this cup was made. This cup bears a fine, old, mellow color and surface. Maker's mark ''ED'', with a crowned fleur de lis, an upper case ''O'' in a shaped punch, and purity axe mark. 5-7/8''h, 4-1/8''dia. Total approximate weight 7.9 troy oz.