Unmarked classical jug. Very high quality

[Peartree1234]

Can anyone identify which country (England, India?) this might be from and possibly even a maker and period. It carries no hallmarks but is 10 1/4 inches high and weighs 60oz. Very high quality casting on the tiger/panther. Tests sterling silver. The piece is a near exact copy of a roman bronze askos to the same design shape, handle and decoration. Thank you

[davidross]

I think the logical place to start would be Italy, insofar as the greatest demand for a reproduction of a classical Roman askos would be among tourists taking the grand tour of Europe. I am rather far afield commenting on anything European, but I believe that Italian museums began selling highly detailed cast bronze replicas of famous classical statuary in the late 19th century, so it would seem plausible that they also cast replicas in silver of pieces like this askos. The Forum has also seen some silver replicas of pieces from antiquity originating from Greece. They were of recent manufacture.

To be honest, I fear that if this were an Asian replica, it would be rather modern and not of the quality described.

Perhaps the administrator could move this post to Other Countries and see if it generates more response there.

Regards,
DR

[Peartree1234]

Thank you. I think its in the Asian category as possibly (probably) being of Indian manufacture from c1850 (maybe later up to 1920 ish) The manufacturing technique, quality and the copying of classical items, are all consistent with the best of colonial Indian, though since it's unmarked it could be from somewhere else of course, hence my listing.

[amena]

Hi Peartree
Could you post an image or a reference to that roman bronze askos to the same design shape, handle and decoration ?
It would be very interesting
Reagards
Amena

[Peartree1234]

This particular vase is in a US museum as authentic Roman but I have seen similar ones sell as "Grand tour" versions. Either way, I am sure this is the basis of the silver design and probably somewhere there is an orginal roman one.

[amena]

Thanks for having posted

[Peartree1234]

Hi,

Its been suggested to me by one expert that this may well be English c 1840 even though its not hallmarked. Would welcome others' thoughts and as applicable possible makers.
Thank you

[Peartree1234]

It has now been suggested to me that the piece is French 1860-80, possibly an exhibition piece. I have also noticed the modelling of the face and whiskers is very similar to lion bronzes by Antoine Louis Barye.
All thoughts welcome thank you.

[rynegold]

What a find, that's a magnificent jug.
So in this thread it's discussed the many ways (dognose's post) some item like this might go unmarked:

http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=37255

In Robert Massart's article on the "bigorne" marks on French silver, you begin to see the beauracratic problems faced by artisans of the era. Assay = taxation for starters. So it would make sense that an exhibition piece, or one to simply be owned by the silversmith would go unmarked.

Here's Robert's article on French bigorne marks:

http://www.ascasonline.org/articoloAPRI145ING.html

For some reason, I think I'd focus on those initials on the bottom; I'd bet they are those of the artist who sculpted the jug.

regards, mitch

[Peartree1234]

Thank you very much. I am going to hunt through the photos of the major international exhibitions around 1870 and see if I get lucky.

[Peartree1234]

I have a new French theory for the origins of the jug! In the Paris 1878 Universal Exhibition the famous bronze maker Ferdinand Barbedienne displayed a group of Roman inspired silver or silver plate. This was engraved and chased by a famous metal worker for the foundry Desire Attarge. I have not, however, been able to find images of this collection. I have since found a very few high quality pieces of silver by Barbedienne (eg in the Met Museum in NY) also by Attarge and by a designer Louis-Constant Sevin. See image below of a ewer or claret jug that has some of the same techniques used to make as my Askos.

If anyone has any further details on their work that might link, or not, to my piece, I would be grateful. I am particularly keen to see if the method of manufacture (see my earlier post showing the interior of the Askos) can be linked to Barbedienne.



Thank you

[Peartree1234]

Hi,

A new theory! Its been put to me the Askos might be early Mario Buccellati and the M.B to the base his engraved initials. All thoughts welcome thank you