A German silver-gilt fruit-shaped cup and cover, Christoph Ritter I, Nuremberg, 1569-76

wood-cutter and trunk stem, the body, cover and foot flat-chased with male and female masks, strapwork and fruit, warrior finial, marked on body, cover and foot

Maker and town marks on the body, maker's mark on the cover and foot, marks reasonable, some gilding refreshed, but basically nice cup of unusual shape
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Associated literature:
Timothy Schroder, Renaissance Silver from the Schroder collection, London, 2007, no. 54 Karin Tebbe et al. Nürnberger Goldschmiedekunst 1541-1868, p. 342

Christoph Ritter I was not a native of Nuremberg, but probably came from Vienna, like his more famous contemporary Wenzel Jamnitzer. An enamelled salt purchased from him by the Nuremberg city council in 1551 and which subsesquently became part of the Holford and then Schroder collections, was at one point thought to be Jamnitzer’s work. The two goldsmiths were undoubtedly closely connected, with  Jamnitzer acting as goldfather to two of Ritter’s sons, one of whom was called Wenzel.