Centrepiece - .833 silver - 58 cm - 7 kg

Large Portuguese centerpiece in faceted crystal and 833 silver, with monogram - Neo-Rococo style - 19th century. Large Portuguese centerpiece or floral centerpiece, in an elongated form, consisting of a colorless crystal vessel lavishly cut and mountings in raised and chased silver. The crystal bowl, with a bulging profile and a notched rim, features rich geometric and vegetal decoration, composed of stars, diamonds, faceted reserves and radiating motifs. It is supported by an oval silver frame, resting on four cut-out feet ornamented with foliage. At the ends, it has two broad elevated wings, formed by scrolls of acanthus leaves, flowering branches and elements resembling straps with buckles. In the center, there is a shield-shaped reserve, surrounded by volutes, flowers and vegetal motifs, containing a monogram and an apparent inscription or commemorative date. The profusion of curves, volutes, acanthus leaves, controlled asymmetry and naturalistic ornamentation frame the piece in the Neo-Rococo style, also commercially designated as the king D. José of Portugal revival, integrated into the historicist and eclectic taste of the Belle Époque era. With the Porto mark “Javali II”, corresponding to Portuguese 833 fine silver, a punch used between 1887 and 1937. An item of unusual dimensions, a strong decorative presence and careful execution, originally intended to decorate a ceremonial table or a representative dining room. It also bears, on the silver, the mark “Aliança”, corresponding to the workshop responsible for the piece’s execution and sale, one of Portugal’s most famous houses. This identification adds documentary and commercial interest to the centerpiece. Total weight: 6,634 grams (almost 7 kg), estimated silver weight 2,650 grams. Dimensions: 58 x 31 x 22 cm