Lot 48. A German silver-gilt beaker, maker's mark lacking, Nuremberg, circa 1540; with cover 22.2cm., 8 3/4 in. high; 383gr., 12oz. 6dwt. Estimate 5,000 — 7,000 GBP. Lot sold 15,000 GBP. © Sotheby's 2017.

applied and engraved with profile medallions in the manner of Virgil Solis interrupted by  scrolling foliage, embossed lobes, detachable vase stem and foot, underside initialled AH AR, also struck twice with early 19th century Prussian control marks, the associated cover of conforming style with St Andrew finial and incorporating accollee armorials dated 1619, maker’s mark FN, probably Fabian Nitsch, Breslau, circa 1619.

Property from the Rutter Collection, Vienna.

Note: It is possible that this beaker never had a maker’s mark. This is evidenced by other Nuremberg examples from the 1530/40 period with town marks only. See: Heinrich Kohlhaussen, Nürnberger Goldschmiedekunst des Mittelalters und der Dürerzeit 1240-1540, Berlin, 1968 pp386-479 for a few examples. The town mark on the beaker appears to tally most closely with the example reproduced for the period 1525/1533-1547/1549 by Karin Tebbe et al., Nürnberger Goldschmiedekunst 1541-1868, Nuremberg, 2007,  BZ 03. P. 500. 

Sotheby's. From Earth to Fire, London, 4 May 2017