A German parcel-gilt silver ewer in the form of an equestrian group, Christian Hornung I, Augsburg, circa 1660
Lot Closed
November 8, 12:41 PM GMT
Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
A German parcel-gilt silver ewer in the form of an equestrian group
Christian Hornung I, Augsburg, circa 1660
realistically modelled as warrior in classical dress mounted on a rearing horse, on a naturalistic ground, the base chased and embossed with flowers and scrolls, on four scroll feet, in an 18th century travelling case with wax seal,
height 33.5cm., 13 1/4in.
1851gr., 59 1/2oz.
James Johnston (?1721–1797)
to the current owner by descent
The wax seal on the travelling case is that of James Johnston (?1721-1797) who was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Minorca in 1763 and promoted major-general in April 1770. The ewer has since remained in the family, despite appearing at auction at Christie's, London, 27 March 1974, lot 75.
There are two further similar ewers with the mark of Christian Hornung I. The first, in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (N.M.3453), has identical horse and rider (though with differing engraved decoration) and identical cast feet, but the base is chased and embossed in an auricular style. This is illustrated in Seling, H., Die Kunst Der Augsburger Goldschmiede 1529-1868, Band II, Munich 1980, Abb. 589.
The second is in the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg (Inv. Nr. 7411), again with identically modelled horse and rider and feet, but with a different base. This example is illustrated in Lopato, M., Немецкое художественное серебро в Эрмитаже (German Art Silver in the Hermitage), 2002, p.48.
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