Cup and Holder

Art Historical Context

This delicate "Cup and Holder" from the 19th century exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of Islamic art, blending porcelain and silver in a functional yet ornate ensemble. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art Department, the set was a gift from Joseph W. Drexel in 1889. The porcelain cup, standing just 1 3/8 inches tall with a 2 3/16-inch diameter, is glazed and painted, offering a smooth, luminous surface ideal for serving hot beverages like coffee or tea—staples in Ottoman and Persian social rituals. The accompanying silver holder, slightly taller at 1 5/8 inches, showcases advanced metalworking techniques: piercing creates intricate openwork patterns for elegance and airflow, engraving adds fine decorative motifs, and inlays enhance with contrasting materials, likely for a jewel-like shimmer. Together, they reflect the 19th-century fusion of utility and luxury in Islamic material culture, where such sets were prized in elite households for their beauty and heat-resistant design. Though the artist remains unknown, this piece highlights the period's technical virtuosity and cultural emphasis on hospitality, inviting visitors to appreciate how everyday objects became canvases for artistic expression.