Solid Silver Sweets Trolley, Hanau, Circa 1880

Solid silver sweets cart, Hanau, circa 1880 Spectacular solid silver sweets cart depicting a reindeer harnessed to an ornate sleigh, driven by a cherub holding the reins. The sleigh takes the form of a small jardinière richly decorated in the Rocaille style, with motifs of flowers, musical instruments, leafy scrolls and raised cartouches. This type of fancy piece, both ornamental and functional, was designed to be placed on a festive table, and intended to hold pralines, bonbons or small biscuits. Made around 1880 in the city of Hanau, famous for its historicist silverwork, this cart illustrates the virtuosity of late 19th-century silversmiths. The hallmark visible on the underside of the piece corresponds to a silversmith active in Hanau, probably MH Wilkens & Söhne, although the exact signature still requires confirmation. The quality of the modeling, the richness of the embossed and chiseled decoration, as well as the overall balance make it a remarkable collector's item, both decorative and evocative of the festive world of the Belle Époque. The interior of the planter is slightly vermeil. Characteristics Period: circa 1880 Origin: Germany, Hanau Material: 800 thousandths solid silver Decoration: Rocaille style, putto, reindeer, cartridges, musical instruments, flowers Function: trolley for sweets (candies, pralines or small biscuits) Dimensions: length approximately 25 cm - height approximately 13 cm Weight: 440 grams Condition: very good general condition