Cup with dolphin, Giovanni Battista Metellino, Milan, shortly before 1724. Rock crystal, silver, gold, lapis lazuli. 33.1 x 26.7 x 23.8 cm, base: 19.5 cm, D 17.8 cm. V 312. Green Vault © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden 2013

To the royal customers of the Milan artist Giovanni Battista Metellino included King Louis XIV of France, and his son, Augustus the Strong, the Elector Frederick Augustus I of Saxony and since 1697 as both King August II of Poland. Next to the Prado in Madrid and the Louvre in Paris, the Green Vault also has a fine collection of rock crystal creations of Metellino. His heirs offered the ornamental bowl shown here with one of the 12 Drawing dated June 1724 (see Graphic Collection Dresden, inv. NoC 1968-128) for sale. As "ultimo Prezo" 200 gold ducats were demanded. Apparently August the Strong acquired the vessel without hesitation, because it already appears in the 1725 inventory of the valuables Green Vault.