A German silver marriage box

MAKER'S MARK OF PAUL STEBER (ROSENBERG 834), AUGSBURG, CIRCA 1690

Details

A German silver marriage box
Maker's mark of Paul Steber (Rosenberg 834), Augsburg, circa 1690
Of oval form and with applied narrow wrigglework friezes, the part spiral-fluted and beaded cover chased with four flowerheads and with a crimped border, the centre with an oval cartouche engraved with two putti within a landscape with an altar and an obelisk bearing hearts, a scroll cartouche above engraved with a Latin sentiment translated as Hoewel ik velen ken, is een voor mij voldoende (or: though I know many, one is enough for me)
11cm wide
(190gr)

Literature

Claus Overzier, Deutsches Silber 1550-1850, Formen und Typen, München, 1987, p. 101-108
Dr J.R. ter Molen, Catalogus van de voorwerpen van edelmetaal in de collectie van het Museum Boymans-van Beuningen, Rotterdam, 1994, p.133, no 40

Lot Essay

This "Minnekätschen" is comparible to the Frisian marriage casket or wedding box of the 17th Century. The toilet box with the representation of the two putti throwing their arches and the engraved Latin inscription: "ALTIORESCOGO UNUM MIHI SUFFICIT" which reads the translation: "Although I know many, only one counts for me", emphasizes the intention of the bridegroom to his future wife".
See illustration

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