Important Silversmiths - Rudolf Linke
At the end of the 19th century, Rudolf Linke was a respectable silversmith and enameller in Vienna. His workshop specialised in silver tableware, table centrepieces and jewellery, designed mostly in Neo-Renaissance style, also called Historismus.
Linke's fantasy enamelled objects - such as nefs, mantel clocks, cornucopias, ewers, drinking horns and other vessels - were usually lavishly decorated with carved rock crystal inlays and adorned with mounted silver details. His impeccable enamels were usually performed in the polychromed pink-centred colour palette, painted with biblical or mythological scenes.
19th Century Austrian silver gilt & hand painted enamel mantel clock, of traditional upright form, the corners set with blue columns and edges applied with brightly enamelled cage work, canopy mounted with vase finials.
Hallmarked Austrian-Hungarian assay city letter A (Vienna), Makers mark RL for Rudolf Linke.
Reference Number: A5606
19th Century Austrian silver, enamel & gem set two-headed cup, standing on an oval base, shaped bulbous stem and the body hand painted with classical allegorical scenes, the mythical ostrich heads surmounted by jewelled crowns and with a silver chain in mouth.
Hallmarked Austrian-Hungarian assay city letter A (Vienna), circa 1880, Makers mark RL for Rudolf Linke.
Reference Number: A5552
Aside from large usable objects, Linke produced intricate enamelled miniatures. Apple-sized jewel stands, tri-fold screens, cabinet clocks and other pieces were decorated with ornate Rococo silver details and finely detailed enamel panels, depicting classic scenes. These stunning articles were highly embraced by the bourgeois clientele.
Along with such prolific artisans as Hermann Ratzersdorfer, Hermann Bohm, Ludwig Politzer, Rudolf Linke presented the excellent craftsmanship of Austrian enamelling in the last third of the 19th century. Nowadays, his splendid decorative silver items are sought after by the collectors.