Bottle - .800 silver, glass - Hanauer Silber

Museum-quality antique silver and glass pilgrim bottle with a sailing-ship mounting (nef) – 800 solid silver partly gilded (vermeil) – Historicism circa 1890/1900.

Exquisite and museum-quality antique display piece from the Historicism era (circa 1890–1900). This exceptional collectible impresses with the masterful and rare combination of amber-colored glass and a richly decorated mounting made of genuine 800 solid silver with an elegant, original full gilding (vermeil). The piece is stylistically linked to the famous and globally admired Hanau silver, and was crafted by a renowned Hanau silver manufactory in superb handcraftsmanship. A particular highlight is the fully three-dimensionally worked mounting in the shape of a three-masted sailing ship (nef) atop a wave-like decorative base, mounted on the upper rim of the bottle. The completely gilded silver mounting is encircling in a magnificent Renaissance style, intricately engraved. It features delicate figurative scenes, including detailed buildings, windmills, and landscapes. The amber glass body bears an artful, continuous acid-etched decoration with floral motifs and fine landscape, windmill, and church-tower scenes. The original, also gilded silver stopper integrates seamlessly with the overall opulent appearance, thanks to its delicate cord and pearl ornament.

The silver on the bottle neck is properly marked with the fineness assay “800,” the German Reichstempel, and the model number “205.” The dimensions are approx. 23 cm high and approx. 19 cm wide, with a substantial total weight of 1003 grams.

Some of the thin silver wires (haws) of the ship’s rigging are missing due to age, which is common for pieces of this age. The original gilding is only minimally worn in places, which charmingly underscores the antique character of this showpiece. The glass is undamaged, clear, and displays a splendid color.

An absolute highlight for any discerning display cabinet and for collectors of Historicism-pronk silver.