Beschreibung:

An Italian 19th Century silver gilt two-handled vase and cover decorated with fluting, foliage and beading and with two chased vignettes, one with a classical maiden at her toilette surrounded by hand maidens, the other with putti supporting a shield-shaped cartouche applied with an initial, N., the caryatid bracket handles applied with red gem eyes and navels, the domed cover with cast finial formed as an eagle with outstretched wings, one talon on a lapis lazuli sphere, the base with presentation inscription dated 1878, with an ebonised wood plinth - height of cup and cover 16¾in. overall, 56.50oz gross. See Plate 4