Silver-gilt And Cloisonné Enamel Lemon Fork, Early 20th Century

Silver-Gilt and Cloisonné Enamel Lemon Fork, Early 20th Century.

An elegant three-pronged lemon fork in silver-gilt and cloisonné enamel, made in the Louis XIV Revival taste. Europe, early 20th century.

The fork is richly decorated with polychrome cloisonné enamel in red, white, green, turquoise and dark blue. The slender arched handle is formed as an ornamental scroll with pierced sections, beaded borders and small foliate reserves. The upper terminal is designed as a cartouche-like medallion framed by scrolling acanthus ornament, a red enamel flower and fan-shaped enamel compartments.

The form and decorative vocabulary refer to the Louis XIV Revival style, with symmetrical scrolls, shell-like reserves, lambrequin motifs and elaborate courtly ornament. At the same time, the bright enamel palette and filigree partitions recall the Russian taste for cloisonné enamel, widely admired on the international market at the turn of the 20th century.

Origin:
Europe.

Period:
Early 20th century.

Material:
Silver-gilt, cloisonné enamel.

Technique:
Casting, gilding and filigree enamel work.

Markings:
Marked “STERLING” and “925”.

Dimensions:
Length: 10.8 cm.

Weight:
17 g.

Condition:
Age-related wear, patina and surface marks. The condition is shown in the photographs.