Autumn Auction of Luxury Antique Watches, Jewelry and Fine Art And Decor
Thu, Sep 17, 2026 11:00AM EDT
Live Auction
Lot 8203
Important Douglas Donaldson Jewel Gold Arts Crafts Covered Cup Chalice for August Busch Wedding 1911
Estimate: $30,000 - $60,000
Sold for
$26,500
Sold Price excludes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $10 |
| $30 | $10 |
| $100 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $100 |
| $5,000 | $250 |
| $10,000 | $500 |
| $50,000 | $1,000 |
| $100,000 | $5,000 |
HFA DT69875
- Described By: AF. NOREDD
- Title: Important Douglas Donaldson Jewel Gold Arts Crafts Covered Cup Chalice for August Busch Wedding 1911
- Description: Important Douglas Donaldson (1882–1972) Jewel Gold Arts Crafts Covered Cup Chalice for Adolph Adolphus Busch Wedding 1911. For a wedding celebration... given by the city of Pasadena to the Buschs, encrusted with 11 natural emeralds and 9 large yellow gems, according to most experts, Donaldson was possibly still working with Ernest Batchelder in 1911. Important 18K Gold Jeweled Presentation Loving Cup Pasadena, California, 1911 Heavy 18K gold covered loving cup or chalice, set with eleven natural emeralds and nine large yellow gemstones. Engraved: “Presented with congratulations by the people of Pasadena to Adolphus and Lilly Busch in celebration of their gold wedding day March 7th, 1911.†Busch is of course the Beer King of America during this period. Signed and dated on underside: “Douglas Donaldson 1911.†Contemporary March 8–9, 1911 newspaper reports describing the Buschs’ golden wedding celebration in Pasadena record that “a magnificent loving cup was received from citizens of Pasadena.†The present example is engraved precisely as a presentation from the People of Pasadena and dated the exact day of the celebration, strongly suggesting it corresponds to the documented civic gift. Douglas Donaldson, one of the most important California Arts & Crafts metalsmiths and associated with Ernest Batchelder and active in Pasadena at the time, is known for ceremonial chalice forms; solid gold, gem-set examples of this caliber are exceptionally rare. An important and historically resonant Arts & Crafts presentation vessel from the height of America’s Gilded Age.
- Type of Item: Chalice
- Manufacturer: Douglas Donaldson
- Measurements: Cup 3.75x3.75x3.3in; Lid: 3.75 x 1.1in
- Weight: 9.18ozt
- Material: Like many Arts and crafts pieces, an XRF X-ray analysis shows a high of 77.6% pure gold on the lid and on the side, with the body X-raying at 72%. The small pedestal is slightly less pure, at over 15k gold. Overall, we guarantee it to be measurably over 70% pure.
- Hallmarks: Douglas Donaldson 1911
- Condition: It is in overall good condition with a slight bend on the gold lid and 2 slight bends on the pedestal; almost no wobble. The top jewel is slightly askew. The lid rests fine.
- Shipping In-House: Available
- Shipping Box Size: 10 x 10 x 10 in
- Shipping Weight: 3 lb 0 oz
Condition
It is in overall good condition with a slight bend on the gold lid and 2 slight bends on the pedestal; almost no wobble. The top jewel is slightly askew. The lid rests fine.
Available payment options
Many smaller items can be shipped, though if you do not see a shipping cost on your invoice, this means we are not able to facilitate in-house shipping for your purchase and we will provide contacts for a 3rd party partner to provide arrangements for pickup, packing and shipping.
SHIPPING: HFA has limited in-house shipping for smaller items and certain types of jewelry, silver and watches. Please contact us in advance of the auction if you wish to see if the lot in which you are interested can be handled by our shipping department. We will be pleased to provide a list of shippers and packers that our clients have successfully used, or you can have your own shipper handle your purchases. Please contact the shipper of your choice to arrange for pick up and packing of your items. Your items will be released as soon as payment clears our bank. We request that your shipper schedules pick up times at least 24 hours in advance; this will ensure no delays in pick up, and release of your purchases. Please be aware that the item will be packed in a box that is proportionally larger than the object itself and will be in many cases be considered dimensional DIM weight. Shipping carriers charge based on maximum allowable weight for the size of the package. Your boxed purchase will likely weigh less than the stated weight on which the bill is based.
STORAGE: Storage fees of $10 per day if not picked up within 30 days after receiving your invoice. Items paid will be considered abandoned after 80 DAYS and all funds received WILL NOT be refunded and considered payment for storage. All unpaid auction wins will be considered abandoned after 30 days if no communication is made within receipt of the invoice.
