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Germany

Circa 1650

10381 17th Century Silver Skull Pomander
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A fascinating piece of early silver steeped in history and symbolism. Modelled in the form of a skull, this early German silver pomander has a segmented interior to contain fragrant spices. Originally a talisman to ward off sickness and noxious odours, this exquisite item of jewellery could be worn round the neck or suspended from a belt. The skull opens into 2 hinged compartments, one side divided into 6 segments beneath a gilded cover engraved with spice names – Citron, Rosmarin, Rosen, Citron, Schlag, Canel, Negeln, the other side to contain a sponge soaked in the perfumed oils/spices. The screw post, on a later chain, holds the piece tightly together. Weight 31g, 1 troy oz. Height 3/2.2cm. Spread 4cm open, 3.1cm closed. Probably German. Circa 1600-20. Unmarked silver.
Circa 1674

10260 Antique Augsburg Silver Drinking Tot
£1,650

A delightful little antique silver cup with a faded gilt patina; having cast foliate side handles and decorative motifs to the lower body. Original bright gilt interior. Contains 70ml. Weight 70 grams, 2.2 troy ounces. Height 6cm. Diameter 5.5cm. Made in Augsburg, Germany. Circa 1674. 17^th century.
1675 - 1679
Marx Schaller
9789 Antique German Silver Tea Cannister
£6,500

A 17^th century German parcel-gilt silver caddy of barrel shape. With a screw top lid and drop ring handle. Beautifully made and very tactile to hold. Suitable for tea and sugar. Raised on four ball feet, the box is decorated throughout with silver lobes against a matted gilt background. Weight 321 grams, 10.3 troy ounces. Height 11.5cm (to the top), 15cm (to top of handle). Stamped on the top and underside of body with German silver marks and assay scrape for Augsburg, Germany. Maker Marx Schaller II. Circa 1675-79. See Rosenburg German silver marks for Augsburg page 127.
Circa 1690 - 1710

10424 Late 17th Century Antique Silver Scent Bottle
£975

A charming little continental silver scent bottle in the form of a medieval pilgrim flask complete with pull off stopper and hanging chains. Made of unmarked silver, circa late 17th/early 18th century, with traces of the original mercury gilt finish. The oval body is chased with birds and bouquets of flowers; the top is cast in the form of a basket of fruit. Weight 51g, 1.6 troy oz. Height 7.8cm, 3ins. Continental, probably German. Circa 1700. Unmarked silver.
Circa 1700
Jacob Warnberger
10358 Antique Augsburg Silver Dish
£1,950

An excellent early German silver plaque of oval form with a decorative embossed design. The centre depicts a forest scene with a gentleman riding a horse accompanied by a lady riding side saddle; a young page boy leads the way. The raised leafy border portrays a deer hunt and a pack of dogs are chasing 3 deer. Weight 142 grams, 4.5 troy ounces. Length 23.5cm. Width 20cm. Augsburg, Germany. Maker Jacob Warnberger. Circa 1700.
Circa 1716 - 1730
Georg Matthias Einboke
9986 Antique German Silver Candlesticks
£2,250

A handsome pair of antique silver candle holders of plain, early design with knopped columns, shaped bases and detachable nozzles. Each has a monogram in old fashioned script inscribed inside the sunken well. Total weight 643 grams, 20.6 troy ounces. Height 19.8cm. Base 13cm. Braunschweig 1716-30. Maker Georg Matthias Einboke.
Circa 1720 - 1740

9883 Early German Antique Silver Tazza
£2,750

An antique silver footed salver of plain circular form with a simple moulded border and a waisted pedestal foot. Excellent heavy quality. Hand engraved to the centre with a coat of arms flanked by a pair of dogs, surmounted by the coronet of a Count. The foot, with the original detachable screw, is now permanently attached to the top for stability. Weight 642 grams, 20.6cm. Diameter 23cm. Height 5.3cm. Stamped underneath to the centre with German silver marks for Hanover Altstadt, 1720-40. Maker’s mark “P.P”
1724 - 1728
Johann Christoph Treffler
9884 Early 18th Century German Silver Ecuelle and Cover
£6,750

A rare and highly desirable antique silver bowl with matching lid, the cast side handles with face masks and foliate scroll work. Handy size, suitable for serving vegetables. The cover, applied with portrait medallions and three scroll and dolphin feet, can be inverted for use as a bowl stand or a spoon tray. The rim of the bowl and cover are hand engraved with decorative strapwork designs. The centre top has a large monogram with intertwined initials in old fashioned script, repeated to the outside of the bowl (worn). Weight 391 grams, 12.5 troy oz. Height 6cm (bowl), 9.5cm (bowl and lid). Diameter 13.4cm. Spread 22cm. German silver marks for Augsburg. Maker Johann Christoph Treffler 1724-28.
Circa 1750

9674 Antique Silver Perpetual Calendar Snuff Box
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An 18th century silver snuff box with rotating dials to both sides. Very charming and retains the interior gilding. The panels have scrolled flower and chased decoration. The top side has the rotatable “Calendarium Perpetuum” which shows the days of the week (in old German script, and marked with their planetary signs) against days of the month. The reverse side has seven readout windows described by the headings on the rotatable disk (in old German script) – 1) month of the year with its number of days, 2) the important saints’ and feast days in the month, 3) sun’s Zodiacal position (represented by amusing little hand engraved zodiac symbols), 4) length of day, 5) length of night, 6) time of sun rise, and 7) time of sunset. A good example in very good condition. 126 grams, 4 troy ounces. Length 8.4cm. Width 5.5cm. Height 2cm. German. Probably 18^th century circa 1750. Unmarked silver.
Circa 1760
Frantz Peter Bunsen
9944 German Antique Silver Candlesticks
£4,850

A stunning pair of antique silver candlesticks in the plain style typical of the George II period. Very heavy quality. The classic design incorporates square bases with fluted corners, baluster stems and octagonal vase sconces. Weight 905 grams, 29 troy ounces. Height 20.5cm. Width of base 12cm. German silver marks for the town of Hanover. Maker Frantz Peter Bunsen. Date letter E, circa 1760.
1765 - 1767
Johann Jakob Adam
10375 Antique Novelty Silver Bell Inkstand
£6,750

An unusual mid 18th century antique German inkstand modelled as 3 fruits sitting on vine leaf. It comprises a pomegranate inkwell and cover, an apple pounce pot, and the pear shaped bell acts as the cover of the nib box. Rising from the centre is a tall naturalistic cast silver taperstick with leafy drip pan. Excellent weight and quality modelling. Weight 819g, 26.3 troy oz. Height 15.2cm. Base 21.5cm x 19.5cm. Augsburg, Germany. 1765-67. Maker Johann Jakob Adam.
Circa 1880
Johann S Kurz
8654 Antique Silver Knights on Horse Back
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A fantastic pair of antique German silver table ornaments in the form of large model knights in armour, each astride a galloping horse. Gilded silver (slightly worn) with jewelled beads. The knights have carved bakalite faces and helmets with hinged visors which can be opened and closed; in the right hand they each hold a jousting pole, or lance, and in the left they clasp the horse’s reins. The models are very intricate with many separate pieces assembled together. The bases have a naturalist finish. Although similar in size and stance, these models have slight differences. One horse carries a plume on the crest of its head whereas the other sports a bird figure on the head. Weight 1405 and 1411 grams, total weight 2816 grams, 90.5 troy ounces. Height 25 and 25.5cm. Spread 20cm excluding the lance. Base 16 x 8cm. Maker Johann S Kurz. Hanau, Germany. Circa 1880.
Circa 1880

10372 German Antique Silver Beaker
£1,550

A 19th century continental silver drinking cup of bell form, with deep embossed decoration, standing on 3 ball feet. Good gauge silver. Around the beaker is a very charming scene of Diana, the mythical Greek goddess of hunting, in her chariot drawn by a pair of stags. Contains 450ml. Weight 189g, 6 troy ounces. Height 12.5cm. Diameter 9.8cm. Hanau, Germany. Circa 1880.
Circa 1890

9629 Antique German Silver Spice Tower
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Of Jewish interest. A large continental silver spice box in the form of a medieval tower with a turret surmounted by a cockerel. All over gilded. The top 2 sections, each containing a bell, sit above the spice box which has pierced and engraved decoration. The box has a drop-down door with scroll catch. Weight 286 grams, 9.1 troy ounces. Height 32 cm. Continental silver marks. Possibly Hanau, Germany. Circa 1890.
Circa 1890
Gebruder Gutgesell
10140 Antique Silver Owl Decanter
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A fantastic antique coconut cup finely modelled in the Renaissance style as an owl with hinged wings and figural strapwork. The silver head, with large cut paste eyes surrounded by tuffs of feathers, is detachable and can be used as a drinking cup. The silver base is intricately modelled as a rocky outcrop mounted with applied insects and amphibians. Total weight, including coconut, 1025 grams. Height 29.5cm. Spread across the wings 19cm. Hanau, Germany. Circa 1890. Maker Gebruder Gutgesell. Silver grade 875/1000.
Circa 1900

8055 Antique Silver Clock
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A delightful antique silver clock of waisted shape, sitting on four scroll feet, the case decorated with cast silver rococo mounts. Dainty size. The front is very beautiful having a pierced silver decoration, with a bird and flowers, over an inset panel of mother of pearl. The dial is very pretty and has multi coloured decoration. The hinged back panel opens to access the watch type movement. Height 10 cm. Width 5.5 cm. Marked inside the hinged panel with German silver marks, crown and moon, and the silver grade 800. To the left there is a small square mark with a wheel inside which may be the makers mark. Circa 1900
1900
B Neresheimer & Sohnes
9941 Antique Silver Bear Decanter
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A splendid antique silver drinks flask in the form of a standing bear with outstretched paws. Excellent quality and heavy gauge cast silver. Very pleasing design with lifelike detail in the face and all-over chased fur. The head is removable so that the body can be used as a decanter and the head as a cup; it pours beautifully. The interior is gilded. Contains 1 litre. Weight 1407 grams, 45.2 troy ounces. Height 24.5cm. Width between the paws 13.5cm. German Hanau silver marks. Probably Neresheimer. Circa 1900.
Circa 1900

10195 Antique Silver Fish
£7,500

This giant silver fish box is larger than life. An excellent quality model fish, beautifully articulated, and with naturalistic engraved detail and scales. The head opens to reveal a storage box. Stunning large size. Pale gilt finish and blue enamelled eyes. The bottom fins serve also as stand supports. Weight 2180 grams, 70 troy ounces. Length 72.5 cm. Height 12 cm (to top of fin). Continental silver marks for Hanau, Germany. Circa 1900. German silver fineness is usually 800/1000. 19th century.
Circa 1900
Georg Roth
10250 Antique Silver Model Elephant
£1,650

A charming model of an elephant with a beautiful expressive face. Medium size. Very realistic. He’s modelled in a slow lumbering pose, very relaxed, with his trunk and tusks outstretched. The figural quality of the workmanship is excellent. Weight 247 grams, 7.9 troy ounces. Height 9cm. Spread 25.7cm. Hanau, Germany. Retailer Georg Roth & Co. Circa 1900.
Circa 1910

8829 Antique Silver Model Knight
£575

A handsome figure of a knight in full armour having a hinged visor and carved bakalite face. In one hand he has a shield, in the other a flag. Parcel gilt finish. Fantastic workmanship and decorative detail. With a pierced filigree silver and gem set base. Total weight 213 grams, 6.8 troy ounces. Height 12cm (to top of helmet plume), 15cm (to top of flag). Base 4.3 x 4.3cms. German silver marks and makers initials. Circa 1910.
Circa 1910
Georg Roth
10217 Antique Silver Table Birds
£4,450

A fine pair of antique silver table ornaments modelled as game birds with long feathered tails and removable heads with coloured glass eyes. Large size and excellent weight. These pheasants are very realistic and have fine chased detail. Weight 1152 grams, 37 troy ounces. Male bird height 18cm, length 49 cm. Female bird height 16.7cm, length 47cm. Maker Georg Roth. Hanau, Germany. Circa 1910. 800 silver purity.
1913
Berthold Muller
8599 Antique German Silver Nef Sailing Ship
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A superb sterling silver galleon ship, known as a Nef, intricately modelled with 2 tall masts having multi section sails and long boom, manned crows nests, flags and rigging. Each mast has a man climbing up a tall ladder. On the upper deck the helmsman is steering the ship while the other sailors carry out their duties. A central staircase connects the two decks. Around the edge is a decorative pierced gallery and below this, the port holes with their cannons ready for battle. There is a large armorial plaque to the rear of the hull with the motto “Honi soit qui mal y pense”.
Excellent large size and weight. Weight 3350 grams, 107 troy ounces. Height 67 cms. Spread 62 cms. Height 67 cms. Spread 62 cms. The top of the hull measures – length 31.5cm x width 14.3 cm (at the widest point).The nef has multiple silver stamps including London import marks, on the bottom edge of the top section and the body of the hull, for 1913. Importer Berthold Muller.
The top section of the Neff can be removed from the hull. The hull of the ship is realistically engraved with timber effect planks and graining; the interior is gilded, the rudder is in the form of a dolphin, the anchor is attached by a chain. The ship has 10 cannons and stands on four decorative wheels.
Circa 1950

9912 Antique Silver Ostriches
£1,650

A pair of antique silver model birds with finely detailed feathering and beautiful modelling. Each ostrich has the typical long neck and quirky features you’d expect from this popular bird species. Good weight and colour. Total weight 925 grams, 29.7 troy ounces. Height 17cm. Spread 15cm. Marked on the feet with the continental silver mark “800”. Probably German. Maker “SWW”. Circa 1950.