Punch ladle – 800 silver, fire-gilded - Braunschweig – ca. 1871–1886

A rare, large 19th-century German punch ladle with a fire-gilded (mercury-gilded) bowl, elegantly turned ebony handle, and carved bone finial. The piece is in excellent condition with only minimal traces of age and use. The join between the silver ferrule and the wooden handle is solid and clean, and the gilding shows a warm, even tone.

The proportions, decorative restraint, and the choice of materials correspond to high-quality Braunschweig silverwork from the late 19th century.

Hallmarks:
– Left: Braunschweig municipal assay mark (worn, quartered shield), used before the 1886 introduction of the national crescent-and-crown hallmark.
– Right: ZT monogram in a rectangular punch – very likely the maker’s mark of Carl Zentz, active in Braunschweig in the 1870s–1880s (attributed).

Date: ca. 1871–1886.

Measurements:
– Length: 41 cm
– Bowl width: 10.7 cm
– Weight: 128 g

Materials:
– 800 silver (typical for the period, not numerically marked)
– Fire-gilding
– Ebony handle
– Bone finial

Condition:
Excellent overall condition for its age. Light surface wear, worn city mark, structurally sound, handle undamaged.
Please refer to the photos, which are an integral part of the description.

Shipping:
Carefully packaged, insured, and trackable shipment.