Cup - with the arms of Miklós Bethlen and Júlia Rhédey

This item, representative to Transylvanian Renaissance goldsmith art, used to be in the possession of Benjámin Kállay. It is a member of a set of beakers fitting into each other. The 6 or 12-piece sets were made for special occasions, engagements and nuptials.

The surface of the beaker, slightly widening in a curve, is decorated with a special punching tool and resembles shark skin. There are coats of arms and signs on its side, in two oval fields. To the left, Bethlen’s coat of arms with the snake and the crown and the inscription “NICOL DE BETHLEN CONT EN CAN REG COM M C E IHVST C S”. To the right, there is a bird in a coat of arms field with a helmet, and the name “IVLIA REDEI”, referring to the Transylvanian councillor and his wife. The bottom base edge features a later chiselling: “PRO SPONZA-BARBARA BETHLEN ANNO 1693”, according to which Bethlen gave it to his daughter from his first marriage.

Its pendant can be found in the collection of the National Museum. Its mouth and base edges and the oval fields of the coats of arms are gilt.

It is marked on its bottom with the initials SH in an oval field – monogram of Sebestyén Hann (1644–1713), the most significant master of Hungarian Baroque goldsmith art.