Pair Of Silver Cabinet Knight Figurines By Berthold Hermann Müller, Hanau, Germany

A rare pair of silver cabinet figures depicting knights, crafted by the Berthold Hermann Müller workshop in Hanau—one of the major German centers of artistic silverwork production during the Historicism period. The compositions reflect the Renaissance Revival aesthetic and attest to the strong interest in the artistic legacy of the European Renaissance that characterized the late 19th century.

The figures depict two noble warriors in ceremonial regalia, resting on openwork hexagonal bases adorned with cut-out floral motifs. One of the knights is depicted in full tournament armor with a crowned helmet, sword, and shield embellished with heraldic motifs. The surface of the armor is decorated with remarkable repoussé and engraving work, reproducing the ornamental richness of ceremonial armor from the era of Maximilian I and the Northern Renaissance.

The second figure depicts a bearded monarch or an aristocratic nobleman dressed in a sumptuous suit accompanied by a cloak decorated with Fleur-de-Lys motifs, associated with French royal heraldry. The faces and hands are crafted from carved ivory, creating a refined contrast between the materials—a characteristic feature of Kunstkammer-style collectibles.

The extraordinary precision of the details in the chain mail, weapons, textile textures, ornamental borders, and miniature decorative elements illustrates the very high level of craftsmanship in the Hanau goldsmith workshops. Such cabinet sculptures were created as luxury objects intended for European collectors and the aristocratic interiors of the Belle Époque.

Hallmarks: Maker’s mark “B.H.M.”—Berthold Hermann Müller, Hanau; importer’s hallmark “T.C & S Ltd” – Thomas Callow & Son Ltd, London; British import hallmarks; “925” sterling silver hallmark.

Dimensions: Height: 24 cm and 22.5 cm. Width: 9 cm.

Weight: Total weight: 1,130 g (606 g + 524 g).

Provenance: European private collection.

ID-ANTQ-16483