17/18/19thc tall German Gilt silver flagon

Approximate dimensions: 14.5 inches x 8 inches.

Davids notes: Augsberg Germany was a center of finance and industry at the beginning of the 16th century(don't worry I will get to the flagon in a minute).It was the largest producer of books in the Holy Roman Empire, and was a center for sculptors,musicians and silversmiths.It was one of the wealthiest cities in Europe.The postal system was invented in Augsberg.

The Augsberg style of silversmithing was a crowded surface, with anything from gargoyles to coats of arms, packed into the theatrical canvas.The backround areas, not to be ignored, were often concentric circles, almost giving the recessed areas an appearance of activity or clouds.The plain flat surfaces would be fire gilt with mercury, giving it a bright gold like appearance that would last for hundreds of years.

The work in the top of this flagon is consistent with the workmanship of 17th and 18th century Augsberg silversmiths.Also there is a number painted in red inside the lid, that looks like a museum or collector inventor number.The condition and the workmanship is magnificent.

It is possible that the bottom(the glass) is 100 years later than the top.The bottom has similarites to 19th century decanter bodies,especially the handle.And the glass lacks the impurities usually seen in the 17th and 18th century glass works.

Because the condition is so good, the temptation is to say it is 19th century(the entire piece), but I disagree.The 19th century silversmiths who recreated the 17th century style thinned the silver out, and tended to skip the elaborate backround engraving of clouds and circles.I believe that the silver work is 17th/18th century,not only from its high level of engraving artistry of grotesque masks, hunting animals,pineapples and exotic fruit,but also from its thick confident quality and backround engraving.I believe the glass bottom was later, maybe 1750 to 1850.That would explain the museum or collector inventory number in red inside the lid.This flagon might have been in a museum or collectors inventory for 150 years, which would show the absence of severe wear.

Good condition overall