ANTIQUE 19thC GERMAN SOLID SILVER EXCEPTIONAL MEISSONNIER WINE COOLERS c.1890
19th Century pair of German Hanau Silver wine / champaigne coolers, each exceptionally decorative and ornamental, with figural cast handles modelled as a mermaid with bifurcated tails holding sea snakes, the body embossed and chiselled with winged cartouches enclosing an important French coat of arms for Louis-Henri de Bourbon above Classical panels, one depicting Neptune being drawn by seahorses and the other pulled by griffins. Hallmarked with French pseudo-marks used by the Hanau firm Hanauer Silberwaren-Manufaktur, the first firm of Georg Roth.
REFERENCE NUMBER: A4547
DESCRIPTION
Antique 19th Century pair of exceptional German Hanau Solid Silver wine / champaigne coolers, each exceptionally decorative and ornamental, with figural cast handles modelled as a mermaid with bifurcated tails holding sea snakes, the body embossed and chiselled with winged cartouches enclosing an important French coat of arms for Louis-Henri de Bourbon (the wealthy aristocrat and Prime Miniter under Louis XV) above Classical panels, one depicting Neptune being drawn by seahorses and the other pulled by griffins.
The design is inspired by the late-baroque design by Juste Aurele Meissonier (1723), silversmith, designer, sculptor, painter, architect, one of the greatest artists active in the 18th Century (for more information please follow this link). Please follow this link to the original design.
The German Hanau versions of the Meissonier cooler are extremely sought after, one is now held by the Victoria & Albert Museum and one is in the Royal Ontario Museum.
Each base is Hallmarked with French pseudo-marks used by the Hanau firm Hanauer Silberwaren-Manufaktur, the first firm of Georg Roth, the pair test 900+ grade silver and date to the 1880-1890.
CONDITION
In Great Condition - No Damage.
SIZE
Height (each): 25cm
Width (each): 29 x 23cm
Combined Weight: 4130g