AN AUSTRIAN SILVER-GILT AND ENAMEL MOUNTED ROCK CRYSTAL ROOSTER CUP*

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PROPERTY FROM THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART, SOLD TO BENEFIT THE ACQUISITIONS FUND Rock Crystals in the Renaissance Taste from the Collection of Isadore and Shirley Familian The Renaissance Revival swept through Western Europe as early as the 1840s and reached its peak at the end of the 19th century. Collectors aspired to assemble treasure cabinets reminiscent of the great 16th-century princely collections. In addition to ivory, amber, and other natural curiosities, the Renaissance Schatzkammer contained a variety of hardstones, considered precious enough to be mounted in gold or silver embellished with jewels and enamel. Nineteenth century Viennese silversmiths created their own interpretations of these elaborate vessels, with the best work in rock crystal or lapis lazuli. The mounts exhibit very fine work in enamel--either painted en plein or translucent champlevé techniques. Unlike some of their contemporaries in France and Germany, Austrian makers specializing in Renaissance-style hardstones made no attempt to market their work as antique; instead it was exhibited at International Fairs as the latest in "modern" fashion. The greatest makers of Viennese enamels were Hermann Ratzersdorfer and Hermann Böhm, and the Familian Collection offers important examples marked by both makers. The late Isadore Familian was a Los Angeles philanthropist and avid art collector.

AN AUSTRIAN SILVER-GILT AND ENAMEL MOUNTED ROCK CRYSTAL ROOSTER CUP*

MARK OF HERMANN BÖHM, VIENNA, CIRCA 1875

Details

AN AUSTRIAN SILVER-GILT AND ENAMEL MOUNTED ROCK CRYSTAL ROOSTER CUP*
Mark of Hermann Böhm, Vienna, circa 1875
Formed as a standing rooster, the domed rock crystal base applied with a silver-gilt foot rim with vari-colored enamel flowers, the silver-gilt feet supporting a rock crystal body, tail and outstretched wings carved to imitate feathers, with enamel neck, tail and wing joints, the rock crystal detachable cover formed as a rooster head, with conforming enamel decoration, marked on cover and body bezel and foot
9½in. (24.1cm.) high

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This lot is exempt from Sales Tax.

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