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European silver

PUSS IN BOOTS. SILVER FIGURE WITH MOVABLE HEAD, GÜNTHER GRANGESSEL GERMANY, HANAU, 1883
PUSS IN BOOTS. SILVER FIGURE WITH MOVABLE HEAD, GÜNTHER GRANGESSEL GERMANY, HANAU, 1883
An imposing and ironic silver full-length figure of the fairy-tale character Puss in Boots, executed in 1883 by the master goldsmith Günther Grangessel, in the characteristic Hanau manner of high-quality sculptural silverwork. The cat is depicted as a court majordomo, greeting guests in a courteous half-bow. The movable head enhances the sense of animation and underscores the high level of craftsmanship.The figure holds a staff as a symbol of authority and control, while the gesture of the other paw accentuates the elegant frock coat, lavishly adorned with coloured inserts imitating buttons and decorative elements on the cuffs, lapels, bows and tails. The contrast between the finely modelled fur and the smooth surfaces of the costume creates a striking play of materials. The ironic undertone is reinforced by details in the form of defeated rodents at the base, undermining the character’s ostentatious importance. The expression of the muzzle, with a slight astigmatic gaze and emphasised symmetry of the ears, lends the figure a grotesque, almost caricatural solemnity.Marks: Maker’s mark of Günther Grangessel (Günther Grangessel), Hanau, active in the 1880s – a blooming rosebud, dated 1883; other marks not identified.Dimensions: Height: 47 cm; Width: 30 cm; Depth: 15 cm.Weight: 2137 g.Condition: Good. Natural age-related patina. Minor traces of use consistent with age. Structural elements intact, movable head functioning correctly. No deformations or losses.Provenance: Private European collection.
Begins 03.05.2026
SILVER FIGURE OF HARLEQUIN GERMANY, HANAU, LATE 19TH CENTURY
SILVER FIGURE OF HARLEQUIN GERMANY, HANAU, LATE 19TH CENTURY
An elegant silver sculptural composition depicting a harlequin standing on a barrel and holding a woven basket. The figure is conceived in the spirit of the theatrical commedia dell’arte, combining lively genre character with the decorative inventiveness of late Historicism. The character is dressed in a typical stage costume with relief buttons and a pointed cap. The surface of the costume is enriched with cabochon inserts of turquoise and colored glass, creating a vivid decorative effect and emphasizing the stylization after Renaissance and Neo-Renaissance models.The sculpture is distinguished by expressive facial features, confident modeling of drapery, and refined detailing. The base is designed as a barrel with an imitation of wooden staves and metal hoops, enhancing the theatrical and narrative quality of the composition. Such works are characteristic of Hanau silver workshops of the second half of the 19th century, which gained international recognition for their virtuoso reproductions and free historical interpretations of Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo forms. In Hanau, a distinct school of decorative silver developed, combining technical mastery, artistic imagination, and a collector-driven interest in historical styles.Hallmarks: Maker’s mark “G.R.” under a crown - Georg Roth & Co., Hanau; additional stylized maker’s mark; assay marks in the tradition of Hanau workshops. The mark of Georg Roth is associated with Hanau silver production of the late 19th - early 20th century, with the мастер working within the local tradition of producing objects in historical styles.Dimensions: Height 21 cm.Weight: 340 g.Condition: Overall good condition with minor traces of age.
Begins 03.05.2026
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