EXCEPTIONAL AND MASSIVE ITALIAN SOLID SILVER FOUNTAIN CENTERPIECE, MILAN c1950
20th Century Italian Silver fountain centerpiece, of oval form, resting on four cast feet, each modelled as an octopus. The impressive and highly decorative design is inspired by the Italian Baroque marble fountains, such as Trevi in Rome. The base is modelled like a stormy sea, applied with raising cast seahorses surmounted by nereides, dolphins, sea gods, mermaids and crabs. Hallmarked Italian silver (800), marked "LAVORAZIONE A MANO" (hand-crafted), Maker's mark 509 MI for Eugenio Orefice.
REFERENCE NUMBER: A3286
DESCRIPTION
Exceptional and magnificent mid-20th Century Italian Solid Silver fountain centerpiece, of oval form, resting on four cast feet, each modelled as an octopus.
The impressive and highly decorative design is inspired by the Italian Baroque marble fountains, such as Trevi in Rome. The base is modelled like a stormy sea, applied with raising cast seahorses surmounted by nereides, dolphins, sea gods, mermaids and crabs.
The centerpiece is massive and extremely heavy (70cm wide, 13780 grams of solid silver), very unusual as the domed base is mounted with an electric pump providing light and water, transforming the centerpiece in a fully working fountain that can be filled with water.
The silver is Hallmarked Italian silver (800 standard for Italian silver, acid tested it shows a higher silver purity 900+), marked "LAVORAZIONE A MANO" (hand-crafted), Maker's mark 509 MI (Eugenio Orefice, important silversmith active in Milan in the mid-20th Century. The fountain dates to the 1950-60.
CONDITION
In Great Condition - No damage.
SIZE
Height: 30cm
Width: 69 x 57cm
Solid Silver Weight (without engine): 13780g
