Figure - Miniature animali in argento (Giraffa, Cigno, Lumaca, Cicogna, Tartaruga e altri) (10) - .800 silver, .925 silver






Has over 30 years of experience in archaeology and is an appraiser specialising in archaeological objects.
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Description from the seller
Lot of 10 refined animal-themed miniature assortments in silver and hardstone, perfect for collectors and lovers of precious miniatures. The lot includes a splendid variety of subjects finely worked:
- Lot composition: 7 pieces in 800 silver, 1 miniature (bear cub) presumably in 925 silver with cloisonné details, and 1 piece (flamingo) with illegible hallmarks.
- Subjects and materials included: giraffe, goat kid with horns, turtle, snail, butterfly brooch/clasp, swan, flamingo, microscopic bear cub, and a charming duck with a pink hardstone body (probable rose quartz) and silver head/tail.
- Conditions: Overall excellent state of preservation (please view all detailed photos for the individual conditions and measurements).
Description of individual miniatures.
1) Charming 800 silver giraffe-shaped miniature
Description: Refined decorative miniature depicting a giraffe with a long neck, characterized by meticulous relief work reproducing the animal’s typical spotted coat and expressive facial details. An elegant and slender collectible object.
Metal: 800 silver (clear hallmark visibly stamped on the neck).
Dimensions:
Height: approx. 9 cm
Maximum width: approx. 3.2 cm
Maximum depth: approx. 1 cm
Weight: 17 g
Conditions: Excellent preservation, intact original silver patina.
2) Charming 800 silver turtle-shaped miniature
Description: Delicate decorative miniature depicting a turtle, with very careful and detailed work on both the shell (with raised plates) and the head and legs. The internal bottom clearly shows the title hallmark.
Metal: 800 silver (with legible “800” hallmark on the base).
Dimensions:
Length: approx. 3.5 cm
Width: approx. 2.5 cm
Height: approx. 1 cm
Weight: 12 g
Conditions: Excellent preservation, wonderful 3D details.
3) Detailed 800 silver goat kid/ibex miniature
Description: Stunning dynamic miniature showing a goat kid or ibex, featuring long, ringed horns worked with great precision and a finely chased coat. The proud pose and anatomical details make it a prized piece for collectors.
Metal: 800 silver (with clearly visible “800” hallmark on the bottom).
Dimensions:
Height (max): approx. 3.5 cm
Width (max): approx. 3 cm
Depth (max): approx. 1 cm
Weight: 16 g
Conditions: Excellent preservation, sharp details and original patina.
4) Refined flamingo miniature with small punch marks
Description: Elegant decorative miniature depicting a standing flamingo, characterized by the typical curved neck pose, finely chased wings and a worked base. Along the neck there are two small marks/punches (illegible) attesting to the quality and probable noble-metal nature (presumably silver).
Metal: Presumably silver (two punches located on the neck).
Dimensions:
Height (max): approx. 4 cm
Thickness (max): approx. 1.2 cm
Depth (max): approx. 1.1 cm
Weight: 5 g
Conditions: Excellent condition, graceful lines and well-defined details.
5) Refined small bird miniature with rose quartz inset
Description: Adorable decorative miniature depicting a small bird (duck) in a crouched pose. The head, neck, and tail are made in finely chased metal, while the body consists of a smooth rose-colored hardstone cabochon. The head bears marks/punches (one of them reading “800”) confirming the silver work.
Materials:
Metal: 800 silver (punched on the base of the neck).
Stone: presumably rose quartz, with the typical pastel hue and crystal structure visible in transmitted light.
Dimensions:
Length (max): approx. 2.5 cm
Width (max): approx. 1.2 cm
Depth (max): approx. 1.3 cm
Weight: 5 g
Conditions: Excellent conservation status; the combination of the chased silver brilliance and the rose quartz delicacy makes the piece very pleasing and well-finished.
6) Wonderful silver butterfly brooch with cutwork
Description: Refined decorative brooch shaped as a butterfly, with finely cut-out wings and raised details. On the back of the left wing is the official hallmark attesting to the metal alloy ("800"). The pin is straight, rigid, and securely fixed, ensuring good wearability.
Metal: 800 silver (hallmark legible on the back).
Dimensions:
Height/Maximum length: approx. 4.5 cm
Maximum width: approx. 3.7 cm
Weight: 4 g
Conditions: Excellent preservation, intact structure, sharp chased details and straight, sturdy pin.
7) Detailed 800 silver snail miniature
Description: Delicate decorative miniature depicting a moving snail, with the spiraled shell finely incised and well-defined tentacles. The lower base clearly bears the official punch certifying the metal ("800").
Metal: 800 silver (hallmarked on the bottom).
Dimensions:
Length (max): approx. 3.6 cm
Height (max): approx. 1.3 cm
Thickness (max): approx. 1.2 cm
Weight: 15 g
Conditions: Excellent preservation, with smooth lines, realistic details and precise finishes.
8) Elegant 800 silver swan miniature
Description: Refined decorative miniature depicting a swan in an elegant pose, with partially spread wings and a curved neck. On the lower side the official punch indicating the alloy ("800").
Metal: 800 silver (hallmarked on the base).
Dimensions:
Length (max): approx. 2.0 cm
Height (max): approx. 2.1 cm
Width (max): approx. 1.1 cm
Weight: 5 g
Conditions: Excellent preservation, slender lines and well-defined details.
9) Charming pendant pendant in the shape of a enameled little bear
Description: Lovely miniature charm in the shape of a bear, enriched with red enamel on the ears, snout, and paws, and completed by two tiny black enamel eyes. On the clamshell back (the suspension loop) is the origin inscription “ITALY” clearly readable, while the hallmark of the metal (likely 925 silver) appears partial or not clearly defined.
Metal: Presumably 925 silver (inferred from type and origin marking, though not clearly legible).
Dimensions:
Length (max): approx. 1.0 cm
Width (max): approx. 0.9 cm
Weight: Less than 1 g (weight not detectable or negligible on a digital scale).
Conditions: Excellent preservation, intact enamel and glossy finish.
10) 800 silver stork with movable bundle and enamels
Description: Lost-w wax micro-casting made in Italy, stamped “800” and marked “NICCHI 1053 AR”. Production plausibly placed between the late 1960s and 1980s. The stork, finely pierced with heart shapes, holds a small movable bundle in its beak, adding a playful touch to the motif. Nine hand-set blue enamel cabochons adorn the piece: two on the stork’s eyes, six on the back, and one on the bundle, creating a refined color play that contrasts elegantly with the bright silver. A symbol of good augury and rebirth. It is a rare piece, perfect for collectors of Italian design and craftsmanship in miniature.
Dimensions:
Height = 5 cm
Maximum width = 4 cm
Weight = 15 g
Visual note: Some images of the lot have been digitally altered to standardize the white background and highlight the details of the objects, which remain faithful to the original in every part.
The published photographic images remain an integral and substantial part of the description of the entire lot.
Notes on materials and condition: The objects are made of silver and all retain the typical and fascinating original patina of the era, kept intact to preserve authenticity and the pieces’ lived history.
The items will be packed with the utmost care and shipped with trackable service.
Lot of 10 refined animal-themed miniature assortments in silver and hardstone, perfect for collectors and lovers of precious miniatures. The lot includes a splendid variety of subjects finely worked:
- Lot composition: 7 pieces in 800 silver, 1 miniature (bear cub) presumably in 925 silver with cloisonné details, and 1 piece (flamingo) with illegible hallmarks.
- Subjects and materials included: giraffe, goat kid with horns, turtle, snail, butterfly brooch/clasp, swan, flamingo, microscopic bear cub, and a charming duck with a pink hardstone body (probable rose quartz) and silver head/tail.
- Conditions: Overall excellent state of preservation (please view all detailed photos for the individual conditions and measurements).
Description of individual miniatures.
1) Charming 800 silver giraffe-shaped miniature
Description: Refined decorative miniature depicting a giraffe with a long neck, characterized by meticulous relief work reproducing the animal’s typical spotted coat and expressive facial details. An elegant and slender collectible object.
Metal: 800 silver (clear hallmark visibly stamped on the neck).
Dimensions:
Height: approx. 9 cm
Maximum width: approx. 3.2 cm
Maximum depth: approx. 1 cm
Weight: 17 g
Conditions: Excellent preservation, intact original silver patina.
2) Charming 800 silver turtle-shaped miniature
Description: Delicate decorative miniature depicting a turtle, with very careful and detailed work on both the shell (with raised plates) and the head and legs. The internal bottom clearly shows the title hallmark.
Metal: 800 silver (with legible “800” hallmark on the base).
Dimensions:
Length: approx. 3.5 cm
Width: approx. 2.5 cm
Height: approx. 1 cm
Weight: 12 g
Conditions: Excellent preservation, wonderful 3D details.
3) Detailed 800 silver goat kid/ibex miniature
Description: Stunning dynamic miniature showing a goat kid or ibex, featuring long, ringed horns worked with great precision and a finely chased coat. The proud pose and anatomical details make it a prized piece for collectors.
Metal: 800 silver (with clearly visible “800” hallmark on the bottom).
Dimensions:
Height (max): approx. 3.5 cm
Width (max): approx. 3 cm
Depth (max): approx. 1 cm
Weight: 16 g
Conditions: Excellent preservation, sharp details and original patina.
4) Refined flamingo miniature with small punch marks
Description: Elegant decorative miniature depicting a standing flamingo, characterized by the typical curved neck pose, finely chased wings and a worked base. Along the neck there are two small marks/punches (illegible) attesting to the quality and probable noble-metal nature (presumably silver).
Metal: Presumably silver (two punches located on the neck).
Dimensions:
Height (max): approx. 4 cm
Thickness (max): approx. 1.2 cm
Depth (max): approx. 1.1 cm
Weight: 5 g
Conditions: Excellent condition, graceful lines and well-defined details.
5) Refined small bird miniature with rose quartz inset
Description: Adorable decorative miniature depicting a small bird (duck) in a crouched pose. The head, neck, and tail are made in finely chased metal, while the body consists of a smooth rose-colored hardstone cabochon. The head bears marks/punches (one of them reading “800”) confirming the silver work.
Materials:
Metal: 800 silver (punched on the base of the neck).
Stone: presumably rose quartz, with the typical pastel hue and crystal structure visible in transmitted light.
Dimensions:
Length (max): approx. 2.5 cm
Width (max): approx. 1.2 cm
Depth (max): approx. 1.3 cm
Weight: 5 g
Conditions: Excellent conservation status; the combination of the chased silver brilliance and the rose quartz delicacy makes the piece very pleasing and well-finished.
6) Wonderful silver butterfly brooch with cutwork
Description: Refined decorative brooch shaped as a butterfly, with finely cut-out wings and raised details. On the back of the left wing is the official hallmark attesting to the metal alloy ("800"). The pin is straight, rigid, and securely fixed, ensuring good wearability.
Metal: 800 silver (hallmark legible on the back).
Dimensions:
Height/Maximum length: approx. 4.5 cm
Maximum width: approx. 3.7 cm
Weight: 4 g
Conditions: Excellent preservation, intact structure, sharp chased details and straight, sturdy pin.
7) Detailed 800 silver snail miniature
Description: Delicate decorative miniature depicting a moving snail, with the spiraled shell finely incised and well-defined tentacles. The lower base clearly bears the official punch certifying the metal ("800").
Metal: 800 silver (hallmarked on the bottom).
Dimensions:
Length (max): approx. 3.6 cm
Height (max): approx. 1.3 cm
Thickness (max): approx. 1.2 cm
Weight: 15 g
Conditions: Excellent preservation, with smooth lines, realistic details and precise finishes.
8) Elegant 800 silver swan miniature
Description: Refined decorative miniature depicting a swan in an elegant pose, with partially spread wings and a curved neck. On the lower side the official punch indicating the alloy ("800").
Metal: 800 silver (hallmarked on the base).
Dimensions:
Length (max): approx. 2.0 cm
Height (max): approx. 2.1 cm
Width (max): approx. 1.1 cm
Weight: 5 g
Conditions: Excellent preservation, slender lines and well-defined details.
9) Charming pendant pendant in the shape of a enameled little bear
Description: Lovely miniature charm in the shape of a bear, enriched with red enamel on the ears, snout, and paws, and completed by two tiny black enamel eyes. On the clamshell back (the suspension loop) is the origin inscription “ITALY” clearly readable, while the hallmark of the metal (likely 925 silver) appears partial or not clearly defined.
Metal: Presumably 925 silver (inferred from type and origin marking, though not clearly legible).
Dimensions:
Length (max): approx. 1.0 cm
Width (max): approx. 0.9 cm
Weight: Less than 1 g (weight not detectable or negligible on a digital scale).
Conditions: Excellent preservation, intact enamel and glossy finish.
10) 800 silver stork with movable bundle and enamels
Description: Lost-w wax micro-casting made in Italy, stamped “800” and marked “NICCHI 1053 AR”. Production plausibly placed between the late 1960s and 1980s. The stork, finely pierced with heart shapes, holds a small movable bundle in its beak, adding a playful touch to the motif. Nine hand-set blue enamel cabochons adorn the piece: two on the stork’s eyes, six on the back, and one on the bundle, creating a refined color play that contrasts elegantly with the bright silver. A symbol of good augury and rebirth. It is a rare piece, perfect for collectors of Italian design and craftsmanship in miniature.
Dimensions:
Height = 5 cm
Maximum width = 4 cm
Weight = 15 g
Visual note: Some images of the lot have been digitally altered to standardize the white background and highlight the details of the objects, which remain faithful to the original in every part.
The published photographic images remain an integral and substantial part of the description of the entire lot.
Notes on materials and condition: The objects are made of silver and all retain the typical and fascinating original patina of the era, kept intact to preserve authenticity and the pieces’ lived history.
The items will be packed with the utmost care and shipped with trackable service.
