Silver-plated Rock Crystal Footed Bowl, 19th Century

An oblong rock crystal, silver, enamel, and vermeil cup on feet, Austria, Vienna, circa 1880. It comprises a rock crystal base with gadrooned decoration, set in silver enamel with griffins and floral baskets; an enameled silver stem decorated with heads and lambrequins; and a rock crystal cup with engraved decoration of lambrequins and a snake biting its tail, also set in silver. The entire piece is decorated with polychrome enamels featuring enamel griffins, heads, Viking heads, fruit garlands, and lambrequins. It also features 10 red stone cabochons surrounded by enamel beads. No chips or cracks. The reflections are inclusions within the rock crystal. The work is attributable to Karl Rossler or Hermann Bohm. Karl Rössler worked in Vienna in 1890 and was registered at various addresses until 1908. Like Hermann Ratzersdorfer, his enamel pieces and mounted crystal objects attracted attention at the Vienna World's Fair. Hermann Bohm, Grand Master of Viennese goldsmithing, active in Vienna from 1866, created a prestigious body of work directly inspired by the princely collections of Central Europe, such as that of Frederick Augustus II.