Gallery Tray, Silver 13 Lots, Friedrich Ludwig I. Andreas Drube, Arolsen, Around 1820/30

Gallery Tray — Friedrich Ludwig I. Andreas Drube, Arolsen, c. 1820/30. Germany

The Silversmith

Friedrich Ludwig I. Andreas Drube, silversmith and goldsmith, born 7 September 1798 in Arolsen, died 17 August 1876, was one of the last goldsmiths of the former residence town of Arolsen in the Principality of Waldeck. Drube worked his pieces as a rule to 13 loth and marked them with the Arolsen assay mark — the letter A with the Waldeck star above — as well as his maker's mark "LFD". A fineness of 13 loth corresponds to 812.5/1000 silver.

Literature: Parish register Bad Arolsen, burials 1860–1902, p. 98. — Scheffler, Hessen, Arolsen, p.6-12.

The Object

Oval two-handled gallery tray on four lion's paw feet. Silver 13 loth / 812.5. Arolsen, c. 1820/30.

Dimensions and Weight

Width: 52 cm — with handles: 59 cm — Depth: 38.2 cm — Height at handle: 8 cm — Weight: 2,537 g.

Description

The oval body rests on four substantial lion's paw feet rising from richly chased acanthus foliage, visible in the detail photograph. The surrounding rim carries an engraved palmette and leaf frieze, closed inward by a fine bead border. The side loop handles are figurally worked: they show reeded, fluted shafts with leafwork terminals at top and bottom — strictly classicist in form and of high quality in the detail. The wall below the rim is decorated with strapwork and acanthus scrolls. The mirror surface is smooth and unengraved. The overall impression is that of a representative Empire table piece of considerable weight and scale.

Style: Early Neoclassicism / Empire. Characteristic design elements of early 19th-century German silversmithing: palmette frieze, lion's paw feet, acanthus decoration, figural loop handles.

Hallmarks: Arolsen assay mark (A with Waldeck star), maker's mark Drube, fineness 13 loth / 812.5.

Condition: Very good. Even, age-appropriate patina throughout. No damage.

Historical Context

Arolsen was the capital and residence town of the Principality of Waldeck and Pyrmont. The Waldeck goldsmiths were in their work closely tied to commissions from the princely house and its court. Drube is documented as having worked for members of the Waldeck princely family, producing for these patrons high-quality silverwork of his own craftsmanship.