Ostrich Egg Cup
| Title | Ostrich Egg Cup |
|---|---|
| Date | 17th century |
| Medium | Ostrich egg and silver gilding |
| Dimensions | Object (without lid): 6 7/8 × 8 3/4 × 4 5/8 in. (17.5 × 22.2 × 11.7 cm) Overall (with lid): 11 7/16 × 8 3/4 × 4 5/8 in. (29.1 × 22.2 × 11.7 cm) |
| Credit Line | Evan F. Lilly Memorial, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University |
| Accession Number | 72.51.3 |
| This artwork is currently on view. | |
A white ostrich egg that has been transformed into a cup by adding a silver frame, base, handles, and an ornament on the lid. That ornament is oval-shaped and engraved with the monogram "EGJ."
Although embellished with costly silver, this cup reflects European interest in the natural world and foreign lands, which was fueled by colonial endeavors. The large eggs laid by ostriches, a bird native to Africa, were considered a curiosity in Europe.
Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.
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"Ostrich Egg Cup | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=72.51.3