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Discover how the value of similar works has evolved over the past 10 years. Art is not only beauty — it's an investment.
An elegant cabinet figure executed by the German silversmithing firm Kurz J. & Co in Hanau at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, representing a characteristic example of historicist silverwork of this period.
The figure depicts Elisabeth of Burgundy in ceremonial court attire with a crown and sceptre, symbols of her dynastic status. The sculpture is distinguished by the carefully modeled drapery of the garments and a complex system of ornamental decoration executed in chased and finely engraved techniques. The silver surface is treated with particular attention to the texture of fabrics and decorative borders, typical of high-quality productions of the Hanau silversmith workshops. The face and hands are carved in ivory, creating a striking contrast of materials and enhancing the sculptural expressiveness of the figure.
The work reflects a well-established tradition among the silversmiths of Hanau at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century of drawing upon the iconography of European monumental sculpture and historical prototypes of the Gothic and Renaissance periods. Monumental memorial figures were thus translated into the format of cabinet-scale decorative sculpture intended for collectors’ interiors and cabinets of curiosities. In such works the monumental programs of historic monuments are reinterpreted through the medium of artistic silverwork, with particular attention devoted to the detailed rendering of historical costume, elaborate ornamental decoration and the architectural composition of the base, giving the sculpture the character of a miniature memorial monument.
Marks: Maker’s mark of the workshop Kurz J. & Co, Hanau; German national silver hallmarks - crescent and crown, introduced after the establishment of the imperial hallmarking system in 1884; fineness mark “800”, indicating standard German silver of 800/1000 purity.
Dimensions: Height 41.5 cm.
Weight: 2041 g.
Condition: Good collector’s condition.
Provenance: Private collection, Hesse.
Expert Report: Dr Daniel Suebsman, 2025. CITES certificate.
At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries the city of Hanau was one of the leading centres of artistic silver production in Germany and Europe. Numerous workshops operated there, specializing in the creation of decorative objects of high artistic quality inspired by historical styles and monuments of European art. Hanau silversmiths frequently drew upon the artistic heritage of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, producing elaborate silver compositions distinguished by virtuoso chasing, rich ornamentation and careful stylization of historical costume.
The firm Kurz J. & Co belonged to the notable manufacturers of artistic silver in Hanau during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The workshop specialized in decorative objects such as silver figures, cups, interior sculptures and historicist compositions intended for the international collectors’ market. Such works enjoyed considerable demand in Europe and the United States, where objects inspired by historical styles and reminiscent of European monumental sculpture were particularly appreciated.
The iconographic source for this composition derives from the memorial ensemble of Emperor Maximilian I in the Hofkirche in Innsbruck, created in the 16th century. Around the emperor’s cenotaph stands a series of bronze statues representing members of the Habsburg dynasty and their legendary ancestors, known as the “Schwarze Mander.” This sculptural ensemble is considered one of the most significant monuments of Northern Renaissance sculpture and a powerful symbol of dynastic memory. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries the figures of the Innsbruck monument were frequently reproduced in smaller decorative formats, inspiring works produced by the silversmith workshops of Hanau.
Good collector’s condition. Silver with natural patina and minor traces of age. Sculptural details and reliefs remain well preserved and clearly defined.
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.
