Nuremberg Wedding Cup Value Guide

The Nuremberg Wedding Cup, or Jungfernbecher, is a masterpiece of German craftsmanship that allows a bride and groom to drink simultaneously to symbolize their union. This specific silver-plated example from the early 20th century captures the romantic legend of a goldsmith who designed the pivoting mechanism to win his true love's hand.

What affects the value of Nuremberg Wedding Cup?

• Condition of the silver plating, specifically looking for 'bleeding' where the base metal shows through the silver layer.
• The integrity of the swivel joint; cups with repaired or stiff pivoting mechanisms see a significant reduction in market value.
• Detailing of the repoussé work on the female figure's dress and the ornate patterns on the smaller cup.
• Presence of original gilding, as a well-preserved gold-wash interior increases the desirability for collectors and wedding use.

How to Identify Nuremberg Wedding Cup?

• Look for the characteristic female figure in a long skirt holding a smaller, swinging cup on a swivel above her head.
• Verify the presence of a gilt (gold-wash) interior inside both the larger skirt cup and the smaller pivoting vessel.
• Check for German silver-plate hallmarks or maker's marks typically located on the rim of the skirt or the underside of the figure.
• Examine the pivoting mechanism to ensure the smaller cup moves freely without resistance, a hallmark of the original 17th-century design.

History of Nuremberg Wedding Cup

The Nuremberg Wedding Cup, also known as a Bride's Cup, originated in 17th-century Germany. Legend has it that a goldsmith, imprisoned and commanded to create a cup from which two people could drink simultaneously without spilling, designed this ingenious piece to win his daughter's hand in marriage. It became a popular wedding gift, symbolizing unity and the bride and groom's commitment to each other, with the larger cup holding wine for the groom and the smaller, pivoting cup offering a toast to the bride.