Large Bowl Made Of Engraved Nautilus Shell And Chased Silver, With Mythological Motifs, 19th-century Holland

Nautilus shellbowl mounted in chased silver – Leiden, Netherlands, second half of the 19th century.

A very beautiful engraved nautilus shell bowl, resting on a rich, finely chased silver mount, decorated with mythological figures and marine motifs. The shell, delicately engraved with maritime scenes, rural landscapes, and cityscapes, isset in a silver mount adorned with leafy scrollwork, mascarons, busts, and mythologically inspired motifs. At the top, a nude male figure, likely a mythological sea creature, rides a sea horse and brandishes a spear. The central section is adorned with caryatid-like figures and garlands of foliage, while the entire piece is supported by a remarkable figure of a bearded triton, with a human torso and a fish tail, his arms raised to support the bowl.
The substantial circular base, which is particularly intricately crafted, features a chiseled relief decoration evoking the waves, among which appear fish, shells, and other elements of the aquatic world. The rim is adorned with a frieze alternating between seashells and lanceolate aquatic leaves.
Leiden hallmarks (Netherlands), second half of the 19th century, with a counter mark attesting toits return to the market after 1906.
Very fine craftsmanship, both in the delicacy of the shell engravings and in the richness and precision of the silver chiseling, particularly decorative, in keeping with the tradition of nautilus shells mounted in precious metals, highly prized in European cabinets of curiosities.

Dimensions:
Total height: 31 cm
Base diameter: 16.5cm
Gross weight: 972 gr.
Condition:perfect condition.