Description

An exceptional pair of antique German silver table ornaments in the form of large model knights in armour, each astride a galloping horse. These are particularly nice examples in terms of size and also the quality of workmanship. The knights have faux ivory 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 such as the sword, jousting pole, sword, stirrups and horse bridal. The bases have a naturalist finish representing a grassy field with frogs and lizards and around the bottom edge there is a pierced silver panel with trailing foliage.
Although similar in size and stance, these models are significantly different in the decoration of the war horse armour and head embellishments. One horse carries a tall plumed cone on the crest of its head and bears a heraldic plaque on its haunches whereas the other sports a bird figure on the head and lacks any armorial detail.

Weight 1474 and 1465 grams, total weight 2939 grams, 94.5 troy ounces.

Height 34 cms. Spread 18.5 cms excluding the lance. Base 20.3 x 10 cms.

Marked on top of the base with German silver marks crown, moon, silver purity mark “800” (800/1000) and Germany.

Makers mark “n” for Neresheimer.

Circa 1900.

Literature: Heraldry emerged at a time during the mid-12 century when fighting men became unrecognisable inside their suits of armour to both friend and foe alike. It soon emerged that by decorating the armour, particularly the shield, with a design that was unique to that particular person it could also be seen from a distance. Heraldry began to grow into a science of heraldry with its own unique language and system of laws to regulate and record it accurately.

These fine antique silver horse and rider models are in very good condition. Very large and impressive with good gauge silver and weight. These have very likely been kept in a showcase. Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of these items.

Maker: B Neresheimer & Sohnes

B. Neresheimer & Sohne, Hanau, Germany are probably the best well known of the Hanoi silversmith firms operating around the turn of the 19th century. The antique silver industry of Hanau specialised in excellent copies of old master silversmiths’ work, particularly Nuremberg pieces, double lady cups, old goblets, snuff boxes and so on. These copies were marked with fantasy marks, somewhat resembling old marks, which also harmonized with the style of the piece. For example, French rococo style reproductions are marked with French looking marks, German seventeenth century-inspired pieces got German-looking marks, and so on. These marks were usually in a style reminiscent of seventeenth and eighteenth century maker's marks.

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