Antique late-19th Century German very rare solid silver novelty boot shaped drinking vessel, very decorative and ornate in design, chased with scrolling foliage, a double headed eagle, realistically modelled strap and buckle and the heal applied with a revolving spur. Hallmarked German silver (800+ standard), Hanau, Maker Schleissner & Sohne. In the late 19th Century the main manufacturers such as Schleissner, Georg Roth & Co and Neresheimer (probably the most renown and productive Hanau firm) were often using pseudo-marks as actual maker’s marks, suggesting that the idea of deceiving collectors was far from their intention. The most common Schleissner mark is an eagle and crown combination, Neresheimer used the well-known “n” in a shield, or TG below a fleur-de-lys, while Roth used a crowned GR, in the style of the early French maker’s marks. German silver is usually marked “800” (more rarely “Sterling Germany”, for the 20th Century pieces), as by law it has to be at least 800/1000 coin standard. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Hanau silver purity is always 800/1000. A large amount of Hanau silver was made to be exported (mostly to England and America), being further hallmarked with sterling silver marks, proving that the silver content is often 925 sterling, therefore higher than the standard required by the German law. Neresheimer & Co, for instance, enjoyed a long and successful business relation with Berthold Mueller, agent in London and Chester: these products are always hallmarked with English import marks (lion rampant, 925 sterling silver). Links: https://www.pushkinantiques.com/british-archive/p/antique-19thc-victorian-solid-silver-novelty-boot-cup-london-c1886 https://www.pushkinantiques.com/german-silver-full https://www.925-1000.com/Fgerman_marks_a1884.html

Height: 25.5cm; Width: 24 x 13cm; Weight: 1000g