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HORN OF PLENTY

Creator(s): Karl Rössler (Silversmith)

On view in: French Drawing Room


About this object

The horn is covered in lapis lazuli with horizontal bands of silver between. On the top of the hemispherical cover is a group in silver and enamel of Diana and two hounds. Diana is enameled flesh-color and her dress is a very pale blue. The tufts of grass on the ground are enameled green. Around the base of the cover is an openwork of leaves enameled in blue, green, red and white, and set with an occasional half pearl. Around the top of the horn is another in openwork against a silver gilt ground. This has an all-over openwork pattern which is enameled in similar colors and set with pearls. Amidst this openwork are two oval medallions: the one on the front with a man and a hound attacking a lion, the one on the back with a man attacking a bear. There are two more similar bands around the horn, the upper one with two medallions, on the front a man and hound attacking an ostrich, and on the back a man and dog attacking a stag. The third band is similar, also with two medallions, on the front a man and a stag attacking a stag, on the back a man and dog attacking a bear. At the tip, the horn is decorated with an enameled openwork of leaves and strapwork. The end of the horn is a silver enamel head of a bird holding a ball in its mouth. The horn rests on an enameled column beside which is an enameled figure of Diana. Below this is again an openwork in enamel and here lies a dead stag in silver. Below this is again an openwork in enamel and here lies a dead stag in silver. Below this is again banding in lapis lazuli. The whole rests on four feet in enameled openwork joined to the base with ram’s heads in silver with white enameled horns.

Object name:
HORN OF PLENTY
Made from:
Silver -- enamel -- lapis lazuli -- pearls
Made in:
Vienna, Austria
Date made:
1890-1908
Size:
35 1/4 in. (89.5 cm)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
12.285.1-2
Class:
SILVER
Signature marks:
MARKS Hound's head on hexagon facing right, 3 to the left, A to the right- Vienna, 3rd standard of silver 1872-1922. K R in rectangle with chamfered corners - for Karl Rössler.
Credit line:
Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973