ANTIQUE 19thC GERMAN MONUMENTAL SOLID SILVER TANKARD, NERESHEIMER, HANAU c.1890

Antique 19th Century Monumental German solid silver lidded tankard, in the style of the early 17th century examples, beautifully chased and embossed with a very detailed and crowded boar and stag hunting scene, depicting Diana the huntress. The large and elaborate c-shaped handle mounted with a lion shield thumbpiece, the lobed lower body standing on four pierced ball shaped feet and lid surmounted with a realistically modelled figure of huntress Diana with her quiver, beside her, her dog. (Diana was the goddess of the hunt, the moon, and nature in Roman mythology, associated with wild animals and woodland, and having the power to talk to and control animals. Diana was known as the virgin goddess of childbirth and women. She was one of the three maiden goddesses, along with Minerva and Vesta, who swore never to marry. Oak groves and deer were especially sacred to her) 

Hallmarked, with German Hanau pseudo-marks used by B. Neresheimer & Sohne, Hanau. From the middle to the end of the nineteenth century copies of old silver and items designed in an amalgamation of historic styles, satisfied customer demand and preference. Many firms in Europe and in the United States produced this type of silver.

Reference Number: A10429