Large Art Nouveau Silver Centerpiece attributed to J.C. Klinkosch, Vienna, 1884

Details

Description

Large magnificent silver centrepiece on a round stepped stand with a wide shallow bowl around a baluster-shaped central column, the … Read more Large magnificent silver centrepiece on a round stepped stand with a wide shallow bowl around a baluster-shaped central column, the walls richly decorated with boss decoration and rosette band reliefs, as well as laurel wreaths and palmette friezes, crowned by three fully sculpted allegorical female figures in antique-style garments: at the top center the allegory of craft and industry with hammer, anvil and cogwheel, to the left below, seated on a baluster projection, the allegory of chemistry, holding a test tube and with an owl, symbol of wisdom and science, on her tiara, next to her the allegory of mining with typical cap with the insignia, holding pickaxe and oil lamp, decorated medallions and cartouches flanked by putti with dedicatory inscriptions: 'dedicated to the highly deserving general director mr. Max schaffner', 'from the austrian association for chemical and metallurgical production', '1. October 1859', '1. October 1884'. Original metal insert with gold plating. The austrian association for chemical and metallurgical production, or 'verein' for short (czech: rakouský spolek pro chemickou a hutní výrobu, spolek for short), was an austrian and czech industrial company in the kingdom of bohemia and czechoslovakia. The center of its economic activities was aussig, today ústí nad labem. The company was based in prague. In february 1856, the joint-stock company 'österreichischer verein für chemische und metallurgische produktion zu aussig a. D. Elbe' was founded in palais schwarzenberg in vienna. The chemist christian gustav clemm (1814-1866) was entrusted with its management, but was dismissed as director of the aussig factory in 1859. Within a year, the production of chemical products was started on a purchased site near aussig. The founders and partners were bohemian and austrian aristocrats who contributed considerable amounts of capital to the company. Clemm's successor was max schaffner, who held various positions in the company before the renowned chemist became ceo. Key milestones in the company's history are associated with his name. Hallmarks: - diana's head - austrian official hallmark 1872-1922 for 800 silver - 'j.c.klinkosch' - manufactory sign of josef carl klinkosch founded in 1830 by stephan mayerhofer and carl klinkosch: 'k. K. Court and state priv. Gold, silver u. Plating manufacturers'. The mayerhofer & klinkosch silver workshop had developed into one of the most successful companies in the industry by 1850. In 1869 josef carl klinkosch became the sole owner and the successor company 'gold-, silber- und metallwaren-fabrik j. C. Klinkosch' was established. The company's success remained the same: like his father, josef carl klinkosch also received numerous commissions from the imperial court in vienna. Bibliography: waltraud neuwirth, wiener gold-und silberschmiede und ihre punzen (= viennese gold-and silversmiths and their signs), vol. I , vienna 1976, pages 295 - 301 and vol. Ii (page 372) - imperial double eagle - status of a k & k purveyor to the court total dimensions: hight: ca. 70,0 cm / 24.99 in diameter: ca. 50,0 cm / 18.11 in gross weight: 10.367 grams / 364.91 oz / 333.34 troy oz very well-maintained condition, silver cleaned and polished this piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution See less