A LARGE GERMAN SILVER TWO-MASTED NEF

MARK OF B. NERESHEIMER & SÖHNE, HANAU, EARLY 20TH CENTURY

Details

Standing on four openwork wheels mounted to fin-form struts, the prow modeled as a dolphin's head, the stern and articulated rudder as its scaly tail, each side chased with seagoing classical figures, the upper aft section issuing five cannons, the faux-bois deck with eleven sailors and four further cannons, the rigging with four sailors climbing, the masts with billowing sails flat-chased with coats-of-arms, topped by crown-form crows' nests and flying pennants, the lower rear sail a shield at the stern with the Royal coat-of-arms with the motto of the Order of the Garter, gilt interior, marked on rim of deck including 925, London import marks from 1926, with further import marks throughout
27 3/4 in. (70.5 cm.) high
117 oz. (3,638 gr.)