ANTIQUE 19thC AUSTRIAN SOLID SILVER-GILT & ENAMEL CUTLERY SET, VIENNA c.1880

DESCRIPTION

Antique late-19th Century Austrian solid silver-gilt & hand painted enamel cutlery set for 6 person, highly decorative and elaborate cast silver-gilt mounted cutlery, set with beautifully hand enameled handles depicting romantic scenes in the ancient Roman taste in oval reserves, surrounded by multi-coloured floral scrolls and cherubs faces on grey ground, the set comes in the original two layer retail box, inside stamped with gold 'H Ratzersdorfer, Gold & Silberwaren-Fabrikant, Wien, I Kohlmarkt, 9'. Hallmarked with Austrian Diana's head mark (800+ silver standard, used 1872-1922), Vienna, Makers mark HR for Hermann Ratzersdorfer.

Hermann Ratzersdorfer came to Vienna at the beginning of the 1840's, where he started working as a silversmith. He specialised in silver and gold objects of vertu, tableware and jewellery, often enamelled and decorated in the style known as Historicism. He was also acclaimed for his rock crystal objects. In 1843 he registered his first mark; two years later he exhibited at the Viennese Trade exhibition and in 1851 he participated at the London Exhibition winning a medal for a beautifully ornate toilet glass.

Four years later he won the second prize at the Paris Exhibition and in 1871, at the London Exhibition, he was given a diploma of honor and praised for its colorful creation in the neo-Renaissance style (Strong Roy, The collector's encyclopedia, Victoriana to Art Deco, Studio Editions, 1990, p.224). When he retired, in 1881, his son Julius took over the business. Nowadays Hermann Ratzersdorfer’s enamelled pieces, often combining precious metals and rock crystal, are sought after by international collectors.

CONDITION

In Great Condition - No Damage.

SIZE

SPOON
Length: 22cm
Width: 4.5 x 2cm
Weight (each): 90g

FORK
Length: 21cm
Width: 2.5 x 2cm
Weight (each): 80g

KNIFE
Length: 22cm
Width: 2 x 2cm
Weight (each): 85g

BOX
Height: 8cm
Width: 36 x 26cm