Mug with a representation of the Battle of Chocim in 1683.

The ivory mug is a very interesting example of an object that can be defined as sobiescianum – a souvenir connected with King John III Sobieski that was created not necessarily in his lifetime.

Over the years, such objects commemorating John III Sobieski and created for various purposes using different techniques were made in very large numbers. Successive anniversaries of the famous victory of 1683 were an occasion to produce particularly many souvenirs commemorating the winner of the Vienna battle. The 200th anniversary in 1883 was celebrated in all three partitions, inspiring numerous ceremonies and cultural events and leading to the production of a huge number of artistic and utilitarian sobiesciana objects.

The mug presented here has an ivory belly with a carved decoration depicting a battle scene. The tangled figures of warriors and horses are reproduced masterfully in various views, depending on the depth of the relief. The silver cover bears an engraved inscription: Bataille de Choczim, and the foot bears: de 11. Novembre 1673. The handle in the form of a winged herma was made of cast brass. The cover is crowned with the scene of a duel between two warriors – a knight dressed in a Western-type armour lifting a sword shortly before dealing a blow, but his opponent catches the handle behind his back.

The scene of the Battle of Chocim shown on the carved belly documents the first of the two most important battles in which Sobieski commanded the victorious army. The battle fought against the Turks in 1673 not only led to the weakening of the power of the Ottoman Empire, but also made it possible for Sobieski to obtain the royal crown in the following year.

In respect of composition, the carved scene is inspired by a painting by Adalbert von Roessler (1853–1922), a German painter specialising in historical topics.