An impressive pair of silver cabinet sculptures depicting armoured knights mounted on rearing war horses. Executed in the tradition of German Historicism and the Neo-Renaissance style that flourished in the silver workshops of Hanau at the turn of the twentieth century, the sculptures demonstrate exceptional quality of casting, chasing and engraving. Every element, from the tournament armour and horse barding to the elaborate harnesses and architectural bases, has been rendered with remarkable precision.
The riders are presented as noble European knights of the late Medieval and early Renaissance periods, likely inspired by the tournament armour associated with the age of Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519), whose reign is regarded as the culmination of chivalric culture within the Holy Roman Empire. The enclosed helmets, lances and richly decorated horse armour evoke the idealised image of the knight that became highly popular in nineteenth-century German art.
Particularly striking is the dynamic composition, with both horses rearing dramatically upon their hind legs, creating the impression of a tournament charge frozen in silver. The faces of the knights are fashioned from a light-coloured material, most likely bone or a contemporary imitation of ivory, a feature frequently encountered in the finest German silver productions of the period. The armour is enriched with semi-precious stone applications in varying colours, enhancing the decorative and highly collectible character of the sculptures. The bases are ornamented with Neo-Renaissance relief decoration incorporating mascarons, scrolling foliage and architectural motifs.
Works of this type were intended for the libraries, studies and reception rooms of European aristocratic residences and distinguished private collections. Both in artistic conception and technical execution, these sculptures represent an outstanding example of Hanau silverwork produced circa 1890-1910.
Hallmarks: Factory model number “4835”; internal assembly mark “3”; oval makers mark. Based on the character of the markings, manufacturing techniques and artistic features, the sculptures can be attributed to the silver workshops of Hanau, Germany, circa 1890-1910. The attribution to the circle of Neresheimer & Söhne or a closely related Hanau workshop appears particularly probable.
Dimensions: Height 30 cm. Length 28 cm. Width 9 cm.
Weight: Total weight 3450 g.
Condition: Good collectors condition. Natural age patina and uniform silver oxidation are present. The structures remain sound and stable, with no significant losses to the principal decorative elements.
Provenance: Private European collection.
The theme of chivalry occupied a central position within German artistic culture during the second half of the nineteenth century. Following the political unification of Germany, growing interest in national history and the legacy of the Holy Roman Empire became one of the defining characteristics of the Historicist movement. Medieval knights, emperors and heroic figures from the German past were celebrated as symbols of honour, military virtue and cultural continuity.
Among the most important centres for artistic silver production during this period was the city of Hanau. Numerous specialised workshops operated there, producing works in the Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Gothic and Historicist styles. Hanau silver became renowned for its exceptional quality of chasing, the complexity of its decorative programmes and its sophisticated interpretation of European artistic traditions. Many workshops drew inspiration from museum collections in Vienna, Nuremberg and Munich, recreating the armour, weaponry and ceremonial splendour of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
A distinguished place among Hanau silversmiths belongs to Neresheimer & Söhne, one of the leading firms of the late nineteenth century. The company achieved international recognition for highly artistic creations inspired by the German Renaissance and Historicism. Its craftsmen specialised in elaborate cabinet sculptures, figures of knights and Landsknechts, courtly scenes and ornamental vessels, all characterised by extraordinary technical refinement and meticulous attention to detail. Works by Neresheimer & Söhne were exported throughout Europe and North America and are today represented in important museum and private collections worldwide.
The present sculptures evoke the age of Emperor Maximilian I of Habsburg (1459-1519), remembered by contemporaries as The Last Knight. Under his rule, tournament culture reached its zenith and chivalric ideals became a significant component of imperial identity. The magnificent armour commissioned for Maximilian and his court survives today in major European museum collections and remains one of the principal sources of inspiration for Historicist artists and craftsmen.
Through their modelling, decorative programme and system of markings, this pair of sculptures displays the characteristic features of Hanau silverwork produced circa 1890-1910 and may reasonably be associated with the circle of Neresheimer & Söhne or a closely related workshop. Such objects were created for the libraries, studies and reception rooms of aristocratic and affluent bourgeois patrons, reflecting their appreciation for history, chivalric culture and the finest traditions of European decorative arts.
Today, comparable paired compositions are encountered far less frequently than single figures and are particularly sought after by collectors of German silver, Historicist decorative arts and works inspired by the romantic vision of medieval knighthood.
The pair is preserved in good collectors condition. Natural age patina and even silver oxidation are visible throughout. Minor traces of use are consistent with age. The decorative elements, semi-precious stone applications and overall structure remain well preserved. No significant deformations or evidence of major restoration have been observed.
The condition report is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not comprehensive and may not reflect all defects, restorations, alterations, or adaptations, as Antiqon does not perform professional conservation-level assessments. The information is based on a qualified, yet subjective, evaluation by our specialists.Before purchasing, we recommend consultation with an independent expert.Please also consult our Terms and conditions and Glossary A-Z, which contain important information on lot characteristics and sale conditions.
