1788

Silver wine goblet, intact, marked twice with crowned-pomegranate silversmith mark (probably Colombi

Currency:USD Category:Artifacts / Shipwreck Artifacts Start Price:3,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 7,000.00 USD
Silver wine goblet, intact, marked twice with crowned-pomegranate silversmith mark (probably Colombi
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This item SOLD at 2012 Oct 26 @ 21:10UTC-4 : AST/EDT
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Silver wine goblet, intact, marked twice with crowned-pomegranate silversmith mark (probably Colombian). In 1985 a very interesting conglomerate was found near the Atocha “mother lode” that consisted of seven exceptionally well-crafted silver artifacts, all bearing a crowned-pomegranate silversmith mark, that were probably the possessions of one wealthy traveler. Two more objects from the same shipment were found elsewhere (one of them years later). Four of the objects were offered in the original Christie's (New York) sale in June of 1988 in a separate section within the catalog entitled 'CROWN AND POMEGRANATE' GROUP, as lots 69 through 72, sold as follows: #69, pastille or incense burner, sold for $11,000; #70, castor, sold for $13,200; #71, gilt rosewater dish, sold for $49,500; and #72, gilt two-handled cup, sold for $165,000. The silversmith mark, which was attributed to Colombia because of the pomegranate, and the conglomerate were specially noted on page 33 of the catalog, with a footnote on the following page specifically mentioning the present goblet as “now in a private collection” and therefore not in the Christie's auction (we have come to find out it was owned by a Chicago banker).
The assignment of value to priceless objects such as these is guesswork at best, but much importance is placed on the “point values” given by Treasure Salvors in 1986. After all, it was these point values that determined what the investors received, and all the artifacts had to be accurately assessed, at least relative to each other. The Christie's lots had the following point values: #69, pastille or incense burner, 333.33 points; #70, castor, 1388.89 points; #71, gilt rosewater dish, 5555.56 points; and #72, gilt two-handled cup, 6666.67 points. The goblet we are offering here was assigned 2222 points (as stated on the accompanying certificate), placing it somewhere between the castor and the rosewater dish in initially recognized importance, and establishing a value of approximately $13,000 to $50,000 for our goblet based on the Christie's prices realized. While we do feel that the 1988 prices were far higher than the current market, there is no doubt that unique items like these have value well beyond the normal coins and bullion from this wreck.
It is also worth noting that this goblet and its companion pieces were deemed so important that Treasure Salvors' archeologists made special drawings for them, which they still have on file and can be accessed online but are also included in the accompanying documents for this lot. Also included are letters relating to the fact that the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society museum borrowed this piece from the consignor for display in their La Plata del Mar: Silver of the Sea Exhibit of 2006-2011.
It is clear to see why the Fisher museum chose this piece to display, as it is perfectly intact--not dented or misshapen in any way, which is amazing considering how thin the rim is--and its surfaces are pristine, with minimal corrosion only inside the cup. The two stampings near the rim are bold and fully detailed. The ringed stem is very solid, as is the round base. Albeit only 4” tall (about 3” across the top), this piece is nevertheless one of the most impressive objects from the Atocha.
Housed in a custom wooden box, with Fisher photo-certificate and letter from the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society, as well as several pages of research documents. Housed in a custom wooden box, with Fisher photo-certificate and letter from Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society, as well as several pages of research documents. Recovered from: Atocha, sunk in 1622 west of Key West, Florida