ANTIQUE 19thC ITALIAN SOLID SILVER REPOUSSÉ & CHASED COVERED URN c.1870

Antique late 19th Century Italian repoussé and chased solid silver covered urn, crafted in an elegant semi ovoid form and richly embellished with high relief decorative work throughout. The urn is fitted with a domed cover surmounted by a finely modeled child (putto) finial, while the body is flanked by a pair of dramatic figural scroll handles depicting winged female forms gracefully integrated into scrolling volutes.

The body is lavishly ornamented with intricate repoussé and chased decoration, featuring classical nude figures, cherubic putti, portrait medallions, grotesque masks, fruit garlands, scrolling acanthus leaves, and elaborate Rococo inspired motifs. The principal reserves depict finely sculpted mythological style figures framed by ornate foliage and scrolling ornament, with additional putti in flight adorning the upper sections. The domed cover echoes the richly textured decoration of the body, while the circular foot displays complementary repoussé foliate ornamentation. The urn is raised on a stemmed circular foot, which is weighted / reinforced for stability.

The upper rim is engraved "C. Calvi Roma 1874," identifying the Roman retailer or maker and commemorating the date. The side of the body and the flange of the cover are hallmarked with the French "weevil" hallmark (800/1000 grade) This import mark was applied to silver articles imported into France from contracting countries between 1864 and 1893.

Reference Number: A00253