Sculpture, Set Tantalus porta liquori del 1899 - 40 cm - Silver plated brass - 1899

Up for auction a magnificent and imposing "Tantalus" liquor set, an absolute masterpiece of late 19th-century artistic craftsmanship [1.12].
The piece stands out for its exceptional build quality and a total weight of no less than 4.8 kg, testimony to the solidity and the fine materials employed [1.1].
The supporting frame is entirely handmade in an artistic foundry using the technique of sand casting.
It is made of heavy solid brass originally silvered by galvanic plating.
It features a richly elaborate hand-chased decoration, executed cold, with mythological motifs in Neo-Baroque/Rococo style: the long sides depict festively pose putti with garlands of flowers and chariots, while the short sides host splendid sculptures of fauns/satyrs.
The tall, slender central handle is adorned with acanthus leaves hot-forged.
The metal preserves its precious and original dark patina of time (silver sulfide in the hollows) that has never been removed or polished.
The set houses two square bottles in fine Murano crystal.
The exterior surface is adorned with a superb and rich relief decoration carried out entirely by hand with the historic "Tre Fuochi" technique, using pure gilt gold brushed on and vitreous enamels.
On the bottom of the glass there is a pointed engraving made by the master glassmaker at the time of production, certifying its Venetian origin and the exact year of manufacture: "1899".
Conditions: Excellent vintage condition, totally original and intact.
The crystal shows no chipping or hairlines. The gold and the external enamels are magnificently preserved.
Material: Heavy hand-worked, silvered solid brass and Murano crystal with gilt gold.
Weight: 4800 g [1.1]
Dimensions: Height 40 cm | Width 23 cm | Depth 12 cm
Color: Gold, Silver, Transparent
Shipping method: The item will be professionally and obsessively packaged (each bottle and stopper protected individually in ample bubble wrap and separate boxes inside the main package). Tracked and insured shipping.