A Ludwig Politzer Enameled Silver, Inlaid Shell and Pyrite Figure on Wood Base with Enameled Ornaments: St. George Slayi...

Description

A Ludwig Politzer Enameled Silver, Inlaid Shell and Pyrite Figure on Wood Base with Enameled Ornaments: St. George Slaying the Dragon, Vienna, late 19th century
Marks: LP, A
9-7/8 x 6-3/4 x 4-3/8 inches (25 x 17.1 x 11 cm)

The sculpture depicting Saint George with painted and champlevé enameled silver and a dragon with the addition of guilloché enamel, both figures have shell inlays. St. George stands over a shinning inset pyrite cluster with wrapping ivy resting upon repoussé chased silver rocky ground supported on a wood base wrapped with silver rope and foliate bands with applied enameled mask flanked by enameled birds and flowers.

Ludwig Politzer (1841-1907) was a highly esteemed silversmith and jeweler working in Vienna during the later half of the 19th century, known for being the Hapsburg Court jeweler. His intricate works in the style of Historismus, a Renaissance Revival style in Germany focusing on inspirations from history, such as St. George Slaying the Dragon. Additionally the use of inlaid shell that imitates baroque pearl and the inset pyrite cluster is a technique seen in Kunstkammer objects which incorporate natural materials into the subject matter of objects of vertu.



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