Antique English Intaglio Engraved Stemmed Goblet c.1880

Exceptional late 19th Century (c.1880) English antique intaglio engraved goblet with a view of the Greek god Pluto abducting Proserpina who was the daughter of the Greek god Jupiter. This fabulous stemmed goblet is in my opinion of an exhibition quality. It is most likely English and from one of the key Stourbridge factories. It stands on an octagonal flared foot in pale blue glass with engraved detail on each corner point and has a star cut decoration on the underside. The short stem is in clear glass as is the octagonal-tapered vessel which is cased in amber. The front is superbly hand decorated with intaglio deep relief three dimensional cutting and shows a scene from Greek mythology of the abduction of Proserpina who was the daughter of the Greek god Jupiter being seized and taken to the underworld by the Greek god Pluto. Also known as the rape of Proserpina. This image has been taken from the original marble statue which was produced by the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the years 1621 and 1622. This work of art is now on display in the Italian Galleria Villa Borghese in Rome. The detail in this work is superb and most impressive. On the reverse side of the goblet, there is a simple flower garland with the original owner’s initials of M.H. This rare glass is in perfect condition and would be a great addition to any classical or fine glass collection.