Royal Gold Cup

The cup's exterior is decorated with translucent basse-taille enamel scenes depicting the martyrdom of Saint Agnes. Additional scenes from her life are also featured on the lid and base of the vessel. These religious narratives made the cup a valuable devotional object in the Middle Ages.

It was created in Paris around 1380–1390 during the late Middle Ages. It stands over 23 centimeters tall and is a masterclass in Gothic goldsmithing. Paris was the undisputed center of luxury enamel work in Europe at the time.

The cup is currently part of the permanent collection at the British Museum in London. It is considered one of the museum's most significant pieces of late medieval secular gold work. It survives in remarkably good condition given its age and fragility.

The artisan used a technique called basse-taille, which involves carving a design into the gold and then covering it with translucent enamel. This creates a glowing, three-dimensional effect when light passes through the glass. The varying depths of the carved gold allow for a rich spectrum of color.