A mid-19th Austrian 13th Loth (812 standard) silver twin handled tray, Vienna 1856 by Franz Schiffer and Co

Of rectangular form with rounded corners with a shaped cavetto edge with shaped reeded rim. The die-struck handles formed as acanthus leaves. The cavetto with embossed decoration of stylised carnations within foliage against a textured ground. The field with flat chased sprays of stylised carnations against a textured ground, all centred with a shaped oblong cartouche engraved to the centre with initials MB below a count’s coronet. The underside with a wooden trellis frame support pinned to a collet mount. Engraved to the reverse with a count’s coronet also. Fully marked to the field and to cavetto including Imperial Eagle Court Supplier mark.

Length – 58.7 cm / 23.1 inches

Gross Weight – 2277 grams

Franz Schiffer active 1827-54, became court supplier in 1846, the firm carried on by widow Francisca Schiffer and their son Eduard.

The initials are possibly for Comte Markus Heinrich Wilhelm Bombelles de la Motte Saint-Liée (1830-1906), who married in 1852 Ferdinandina Draškovići (1883-1886), daughter of Count Franjo Draškovići (1803 - 1857). He created the Opeka Arboretum at castle in Viniva, Croatia.

“Count Marko Bombelles, the elder became owner in 1852 and from his travels often returned with different trees and shrubs, transforming the lands around his castle into a true arboretum, full off exotic plants. Because of its exceptional value, the park has been protected since 1947 and has become as monument of garden architecture of the highest category. After the death of Marko, the elder (the first), control of the property was left to his son, Marko the younger (the second), who left a great legacy in Vinica from his work in cultural and public life, education, economy, banking and politics. As the Count held high office in Vienna and in the Croatian parliament. The great and the good often came to hunt in Zelendvor and Opeka. Among the many prominent personalities was his friend and best man Franjo Ferdinand, heir to the Habsburg throne[.]” Tomorad, M. Ed. (2020), Egypt and Austria XII - Egypt and the Orient: The Current Research: Proceedings of the Conference Held at the Faculty of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb (September 17th-22nd, 2018), Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, p.190.