Augsburg, 1789–1790, Christian II Drentwett, Solid Silver Table Bell

Silver table bell — Christian II Drentwett
Augsburg, 1789–1791

Table bell made of cast solid silver, with a circular, flared body. The slightly domed upper section extends into a smooth body that widens toward the lower rim. Several rows of concentric fillets highlight the different sections of the body and give the surface a subtle rhythm.

The slender handle, narrowed in the middle and accented by a ring at its base, ends in a pear-shaped knob encircled by a frieze of ovals. The bell is fitted with an internal clapper.
Traces of vermei remain on the base and the handle

Two hallmarks are stamped along the lower rim: the Augsburg city hallmark, depicting a pine cone surmounting the date letter E, corresponding to the period 1789–1791, and the maker’s mark with the initials CD, belonging to Christian II Drentwett.

Born in 1729 and died in 1801, Christian II Drentwett was admitted as a master silversmith in Augsburg in 1754. A descendant of a famous dynasty of Augsburg silversmiths, he is considered one of the leading figures in German court silverwork of the second half of the 18th century. Works by him are found in the collections of the Kings of Bavaria housed at the Munich Residence, as well as in the treasury of the Princes of Thurn und Taxis in Regensburg. (residenz-muenchen.de⁠, bayerisches-nationalmuseum.de⁠)

His work is also represented in the former collections of the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg. He also participated in major silverware commissions for the Russian imperial court, notably the Perm and Kharkov services commissioned under Catherine II, pieces of which are preserved at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. His creations are also on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and at the Museo degli Argenti in the Pitti Palace in Florence.

Intended for summoning service, this bell combines the simplicity of a plain body with a delicately ornamented handle.

Height: approximately 8 cm.
Base diameter: 4.5 cm.
Weight: 80 g.