What-is-it question.CLXVIII.

[2209patrick]

This gold and enamelled cup has always puzzled me.
It is 4.75 inches ( 12 cm.) high.
Made by Louis Osman ( 1924-1996) and his wife Dilys ( enamellist ), London, 1978.

Here's the description from my reference:
" The bowl echoes an African stringed drum. The cover is engraved as the sea with foaming enamelled waves.
The two sporting dolphins and the recumbent Thomson's gazelle carrying the drum are solid gold.
The base bears the words 'but always as friends'.
(Victoria and Albert Museum, London )."



Any ideas about the meaning ( symbols ) of this piece are welcome.

Pat.
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[dognose]

Hi Pat,

Do you think it's just possible that there is another cup floating about, decorated with ocean scenes and supported by a whale and with a lid with an elephant on it?

Trev.
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[2209patrick]

Hi Tev.

So, you're thinking the lids got switched ?
That would make more sense to me than what we have here.

Many of his pieces were commissioned. Don't know if this piece was.

Pat.
.

[agphile]

Just come across this one. It was made in 1978. Symbolism seems to relate to British Commonwealth. Commonwealth Games that year. Also Queen's Silver Jubilee. I would guess it was commissioned by V&A.
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