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19TH CENTURY, APPARENTLY UNMARKED
Details
A GERMAN SILVER-GILT MOUNTED COCONUT CUP AND COVER FORMED AS AN OWL
19th Century, apparently unmarked
The coconut body on claw feet, with short tail engraved with feathers and enclosed by feathered wings, the back with strapwork and mask cartouche with drop ring and acid-etched with inscription, the border etched with foliage, scrolls and initials WI, the detachable head chased and engraved with feathers, set with glass eyes and surmounted by foliage and berry coronet, the interior of the head engraved with the earth, moon, sun and signs of the Zodiac
7 in. (17.8 cm.) high
Gross weight 19 oz. (604 gr.)
The inscription reads 'Zu Mein Gedenk den Vogel Schänk AD 1604' [In my memory I give this bird AD 1604]
19th Century, apparently unmarked
The coconut body on claw feet, with short tail engraved with feathers and enclosed by feathered wings, the back with strapwork and mask cartouche with drop ring and acid-etched with inscription, the border etched with foliage, scrolls and initials WI, the detachable head chased and engraved with feathers, set with glass eyes and surmounted by foliage and berry coronet, the interior of the head engraved with the earth, moon, sun and signs of the Zodiac
7 in. (17.8 cm.) high
Gross weight 19 oz. (604 gr.)
The inscription reads 'Zu Mein Gedenk den Vogel Schänk AD 1604' [In my memory I give this bird AD 1604]
Provenance
Sir Julius Wernher, 1st Bt. (1850-1912), Bath House, London, in the Red Room, by whom bequeathed, with a life interest to his widow, Alice, Lady Wernher, subsequently Lady Ludlow (1862-1945), to their son
Sir Harold Wernher, 3rd Bt., G.C.V.O. (1893-1973), Bath House, London, and from 1948, Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire, and by descent.
Sir Harold Wernher, 3rd Bt., G.C.V.O. (1893-1973), Bath House, London, and from 1948, Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire, and by descent.
Literature
1913 Bath House Inventory, p. 27, no. 144, in the Red Room, in the 'large glazed case near door - Left Hand Division'.
1914 Wernher Inventory, p. 27, no. 136.
R. Fritz, Die Gefässe aus Kokosnuss in Mitteleuropa 1250-1800, Mainz, 1983, pl. 96b, described as South German, 1604.
1914 Wernher Inventory, p. 27, no. 136.
R. Fritz, Die Gefässe aus Kokosnuss in Mitteleuropa 1250-1800, Mainz, 1983, pl. 96b, described as South German, 1604.
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.