Sea Monster Stirrup Cup 001, 2017

.999 fine silver, display base

4.125 x 3.25" - cup

6.75 x 4 x 7" - with display

Sea Monster Stirrup Cup 001 is one of the first two cups I made in this series, and it stays closest to the Medieval and Renaissance map monsters that originally inspired the work. I wanted to see if I could take those imaginative creatures—drawn at the edges of early maps—and bring one fully into three-dimensional form. This cup was a turning point for me, confirming that the stirrup cup could serve as a sculptural vessel for both historical reference and my own technical interests.