Dutch Hanau Style Repoussé Silver Casket with Genre Scenes
Decorative Object (Small Casket / Humidor / Jewelry Box) · Unknown, likely German (Hanau) or Dutch silversmith in the tradition of Neresheimer or Storck and Sene. Hanau silversmiths were famous for reproducing 17th-century styles in the late 19th century.
Pattern: Historicist Genre Scene Pattern featuring 'Boer' (Peasant) tavern scenes, often inspired by David Teniers or Adriaen van Ostade paintings.
Type
Decorative Object (Small Casket / Humidor / Jewelry Box)
Maker
Unknown, likely German (Hanau) or Dutch silversmith in the tradition of Neresheimer or Storck and Sene. Hanau silversmiths were famous for reproducing 17th-century styles in the late 19th century.
Material
Likely 800 Silver (continental European standard) or potentially high-grade Silver Plate (EPNS). Large surface area suggests a solid silver build for the luxury market.
Dimensions
Estimated 12cm width x 8cm depth x 10cm height. Weight likely between 350-500 grams if solid silver.
Description
An ornate silver casket capturing the lively spirit of a 17th-century Dutch tavern scene. The box is framed by exquisite beaded borders and supported by four sturdy ball feet. Every surface is alive with high-relief figures, barrels, and thatched buildings, reflecting the late 19th-century fascination with Old Master nostalgia.
Key Features
High-relief genre scene depicting a village festival; beaded border accents; four cast ball feet; hinged construction.
Material & Composition
Likely 800 Silver (continental European standard) or potentially high-grade Silver Plate (EPNS). Large surface area suggests a solid silver build for the luxury market.
Finish & Decoration
High-relief repoussé and chased finish. Features a beaded border and a scenic panel depicting figures and a tavern (tonnelle) in a village landscape. Style is Neo-Rococo / Historismus.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Not visible in image; typically found on the bottom or interior rim. Expected marks would be Hanau 'pseudo-marks' (imitating 17th-century hallmarks) or '800' fineness stamp.
Construction Details
Fabricated from sheet silver with hand-chasing and repoussé modeling. The base features cast ball or bun feet which are soldered to the body.
Functional Features
Hinged lid for storage; rectangular form with a deep interior suited for cigars, playing cards, or jewelry.
Handle & Grip Details
No external handles; the lid typically features a subtle lip or a cast figural finial (though the top view is obscured here).
Craftsmanship Details
The piece shows a high degree of labor in the chasing stage, though the primary shape was likely stamped. The soldering on the feet appears well-integrated.
Authentication Indicators
The soft edges of the figures suggest a late 19th-century casting or stamping that was then hand-finished, typical of Hanau workshops. Patina in the crevices is consistent with age.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely Germany (Hanau) or the Netherlands. Hanau was the center for these elaborate, antique-style 'silver toys' and decorative hollowware.
Era & Period
Historismus (Late 19th Century / Fin de Siècle), revival of 17th-century Dutch Golden Age motifs.
Age Estimate
Circa 1880–1910 based on the style of repoussé and the transition to silver-plate industrial techniques if the metal is not solid.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 19th-century European elite's romanticization of rural, pre-industrial life and their desire for objects that looked like ancient family heirlooms.
Condition Notes
Very Good. Visible highlights show some polishing wear on the high points of the repoussé. Significant tarnish in the recessed areas (desirable for depth/contrast). No major dents visible.
Value Estimate
$400 - $1,200 (if 800 silver); $100 - $250 (if plated). Maker and specific hallmarks significantly influence the variance.
Care & Maintenance
Avoid heavy abrasive dips; use a soft silver cloth. Professional cleaning is recommended for the deep recesses to prevent sulfur pitting.
Similar Pieces
B. Neresheimer & Söhne caskets; Dutch 833 silver tobacco boxes (typically smaller and thinner); English 'Silver Plate' tea caddies by Elkington.
Interesting Facts
Hanau silversmiths often used 'pseudo-marks' that looked like old guild marks to evoke the prestige of 17th-century silversmiths, leading to many authentication challenges for 20th-century collectors.