17th Century Herrengrund Double Cup (Doppelkopf)

Presenting a magnificent and highly rare late 17th-century Herrengrund Double Cup (Doppelkopf or Sturzbecher). This remarkable piece of early modern metallurgy is a quintessential Wunderkammer (Cabinet of Curiosities) object, originally serving as a high-end tourist souvenir for European nobility visiting the historic mining regions.

The Magic of Cementation & The "Working Souvenir"
Originating from the historic copper mines of Spania Dolina (formerly Herrengrund) and Lubethen (Ľubietová) in modern-day Slovakia, these cups capture a process that 17th-century observers viewed as almost akin to alchemy. The local water, heavily saturated with copper sulphate, was diverted into hollows where iron scraps had been placed. The chemical reaction deposited a pure coating of copper onto the scraps, transforming their appearance and giving rise to the legend that the water possessed mysterious, magical properties.
In the center of the cup stands the small figure of a miner at work, hammering away at crystals of iron pyrites. As noted by the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum regarding similar historical examples, the plain and functional interior of the bowl gives rise to the possibility that this was an interactive "working souvenir." The original 17th-century owner may have been encouraged to take the bowl, scoop up the local mine water, and watch the copper deposits miraculously appear on the iron pyrites right before their eyes.

The Inscription
The exterior features a beautifully textured (stippled) lower half, while the fire-gilded rim bears a classic German rhyming inscription detailing its miraculous creation from discarded horseshoes:
"Eisen war ich zu Lubethen, und von einem Pferd-getreten, Jetz aber Kupfer rein, und mit Gold bekleidet fein."
(Iron was I at Lubethen, and stepped on by a horse, But now pure copper, and finely clad with gold.)

Condition & Preservation
As a double cup, this piece consists of two halves that perfectly slot together to form a seamless egg or barrel shape—making it significantly rarer than standard single-cup variants.
The artifact is in excellent antique condition with a stunning patina and bright fire-gilding. In the interest of full transparency and historical preservation, the original central mineral specimens at the base of the miner figure have been carefully and professionally consolidated using museum-grade, 100% reversible HMG Paraloid B-72 acrylic adhesive. This ensures the structural integrity of the display while strictly adhering to professional antiquity conservation standards.

Museum Comparables
A similar, though standard single-cup variant of this design, is held in the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in London. You can view their comparable example and read their curator notes here:
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O67241/cup-unknown/

Dimensions & Weight:
Outer Diameter: 6.5 cm
Height of Individual Cup Halves: 5 cm each
Height (Open, including Miner Figure): 6.8 cm
Total Height (Assembled / Closed): 9.3 cm
 Weight: 219 grams

This is an extraordinary opportunity to acquire a documented, complete double cup variant of one of the 17th century's most fascinating metallurgical treasures. The artifact will be expertly packaged and shipped with full courier insurance.