Silver-gilt Fish And Polychrome Enamels, Vienna, 19th Century

Description
Fish with Neptune on an oval base, the surface entirely painted with multicolored enamels featuring mythological scenes. Stamped with the monogram "FR," a mark indicating tax paid (notstempel-frei, freistempel) in 1809-10. On December 19, 1809, the patent for the delivery of silver was issued by the respective authorities in order to fight the indebtedness of the state resulting from the war against France. All silverware had to be delivered to the recent installed redemption offices. Only if the metal could be paid for by the owner in conventional money or silver it wasn't subject to this regulation. In such cases the object was marked with the monogram "FR". As only few large gold and silver smiths could afford to pay such a tax, a large number of silver objects of historic and high artistic value were melted down. The notstempel-frei, freistempel was used in 1809/10 for those objects which did not have to be delivered to the redempion offices. Stamped with the letter "A," a small guarantee mark for silver objects used in Vienna from 1807 to 1866.
 
Dimensions
HxLxD 10,43in x 11,02in x 3,15in

Provenance
Private collection

Conditions
Shortages and defects. Breakages. Restorations.