A pair of German parcel-gilt silver-mounted centrepieces, Eduard Wollenweber, Munich, circa 1890. Photo Sotheby's.

the circular bases applied with fruit festoons, winged cherubs’ heads and rams’ skulls, mermaids with water ornament holding the turbo shells each containing a `pearl', dragon finials; 32cm. high;12 5/8 in. Estimation 8,000 — 12,000 GBP

PROPERTY OF A EUROPEAN PRINCELY FAMILY

The firm of Eduard Wollenweber, celebrated goldsmiths in 19th century Munich, was conducted by two men of that name, father and son, who were respectively born in 1822 and 1847; the elder Wollenweber, who died in 1899, outlived his son by ten years. The excellence of their work was recognized by a large group of important customers, chief among whom was King Ludwig II (1845-1886). A number of silver, silver-gilt and gilt bronze items supplied to him by Wollenweber were included in the exhibition, König Ludwig II. und die Kunst (Munich, June-October, 1968). The firm also made the silver-gilt funerary urn for the King’s heart in the royal chapel at Altötting. A swan centrepiece similar to the items for sale, thought to have been made for Ludwig II, is illustrated in the exhibition catalogue Macht & Pracht, Europas Glanze im 19. Jahrhundert, Neustadt, 2006, pp. 78. See the same exhibition p. 152 for a model of the mermaids in reverse by the Goldsmith to the Prussian Royal family Sy & Wagner, circa 1870.

Sotheby's. Of Royal and Noble Descent. London | 23 Jan 2014 - www.sothebys.com