Marjorie Merriweather Post: Collector of Decorative Arts

Marjorie Merriweather Post

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Military Presentation Cup
St. Petersburg, 1834
Johann Christian Barbé
Gold

"I am particularly attracted by the beauty of an object, its craftsmanship, history ..."

Stem Beauty
Marjorie Merriweather Post often favored objects that featured elements such as the plant forms repeated around the bowl, stem, and foot of the presentation cup. This type of ornament, revived and reinterpreted in the 18th- and 19th centuries, makes reference to classical antiquity. As the glittering surfaces and warm tones of this cup also demonstrate, gold has satisfied timeless standards of beauty in many cultures.

Craftsmanship
Marjorie Merriweather Post greatly appreciated the skilled work of master craftsmen who produced furniture, metalwork, porcelain, and glass in the 18th- and 19th-centuries. On this cup these skills are especially apparent in the goldsmith's crisp imitations of natural forms. Selective use of alternating areas of matte and polished gold on the oak leaves, acorns, and other areas heighten this effect. Such minute details can only be appreciated on close examination.

History
Marjorie Merriweather Post was always attracted to objects with rich historical associations. The inscription on the circular medallion affixed to the front of the cup reads: "From the Officers of Her Majesty's Chevalier Guards Regiment to the General-Adjutant Count Stepan Fedorovich Apraksin, June 25, 1833." The regiment's distinctive plumed helmet and an officer's sword are placed at the top. The wreaths of laurel and oak leaves placed around them refer to ancient symbols of military success.