A large Viennese Renaissance Revival silver and enamel-mounted ebonised jewelry casket

BY HERMANN BHM, VIENNA, CIRCA 1875

Details

A large Viennese Renaissance Revival silver and enamel-mounted ebonised jewelry casket
By Hermann Bhm, Vienna, Circa 1875
Profusely decorated overall with enamel on copper plaques, painted with mythological, allegorical and biblical scenes, after and in the manner of Boucher, Natoire, Bouguereau and others, the lift-off upper section revealing a concealed compartment, surmounted by a horn-blowing satyr, above a clock with movement engraved And. Hochenadl/ Vienne/No. 1225, above rectangular plaque-inset sides, with a drawer to each end, the main section mounted to the corners and center of front and back with a putto riding a swan, above floral-painted spiral columns, the front with a pair of doors with enamel plaque to both sides, the interior fitted with six plaque-inset drawers, above a further pair of drawers, with similarly decorated back and with sides with central plaque flanked by a further plaque on each side and with three small plaques below, on projecting plaque-inset stepped feet, the mounts variously stamped H B and with Viennese silver marks
20.3/8in. (51.7cm.) high; 18in. (46.2cm.) wide; 13in. (33cm.) deep
Bhm, H.

Lot Essay

The present large and finely-decorated casket is a sumptuous example of the work of the Viennese gold and silver makers, Hermann Bhm. Formerly Politzer & Bhm, the company was founded in 1866 and co-run by brothers Hermann, Hugo and Max Bhm. The firm specialised in works of art and objets de luxe fashioned from gold, silver, enamel, rock crystal, ivory and lapis lazuli. The ornate pieces enjoyed enormous popularity and were widely exported and exhibited at the Vienna International Exhibition of 1873.

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