Exceptional Pair of Vintage Brass Stag-Headed Stirrup Cups – Silver-Plated Interiors
A particularly handsome and substantial pair of vintage stag-headed stirrup cups, dating to around the 1970s and distinguished by unusually good casting, strong sculptural detail and an attractive naturally aged brass patina.
Each cup features a beautifully modelled stag's head, neck and antlered feet, with remarkably detailed rendering of the fur, facial features, ears and antlers. The casting is crisp and substantial, giving these pieces a particularly impressive quality and weight in the hand.
The cups are made from cast brass, with their interiors retaining a contrasting silver-plated finish. The exterior brass has been deliberately left unpolished, preserving the rich, time-earned golden, brown and darker patination that has developed naturally over the years.
The resulting contrast between the warm brass exterior, darker recesses and bright silver-plated interior is particularly attractive.
The pair are extremely closely matched in size and weight, with only a small natural variation between the individual castings:
Height: 14.3 cm each
Cup rim diameter: 8.3 cm each
Weight: 361 g and 368 g respectively
Total pair weight: 729 g
Material: Cast brass with silver-plated interiors
Quantity: Matching pair
The small openings visible at the rear of the stag necks are part of the original casting construction and are present on both cups.
These are decorative yet fully functional traditional stirrup cups, associated with hunting and equestrian culture, and make an unusually striking addition to a collection of sporting antiques, barware or animalier metalwork.
The quality of the modelling and the substantial construction are considerably better than many of the lightweight decorative examples encountered today.
A rare opportunity to acquire a particularly attractive and well-made matching pair. These substantial stag stirrup cups do not appear on the market particularly often.
Good vintage condition commensurate with age and use. The brass retains its original aged/patinated appearance, with areas of darker oxidation and natural surface variation. The silver-plated interiors remain bright overall with some age-related variation.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.