A late 19^th century German silver gilt nef, probably Hanau circa 1890

the ship upon four kinetic wheels with axels, the mast formed as a classical dolphin headed spout, the stern with an opposable flag. The hull with embossed decoration of classical dolphins in the sea, one being ridden by a winged putto, the obverse side with a putto blowing a cornucopia horn while holding the reins to two hippocampi. An anchor suspended from chains to the side. The central mast with a ‘crow’s nest’ and a detachable flag engraved with a crowned eagle displayed, all above a sail engraved with a coat of arms surmounted by a helm and with foliate mantling with a crest of two bugle horns. The deck with four canons and an open hatch, populated with 24 figures, one detached but present. Marked with earlier style pseudo marks to the corner of the sail only.

Length – 30.5 cm / 12 inches

Height – 27.9 cm / 11 inches

Weight – 790 grams / 25.4 ozt