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German? Nef

Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 7:44 pm
by RainBeau
Hello and thank you in advance...I have a nef which I believe to be of German origin but cannot (as yet) identify the marks.
I have search your site, these fora and several other places.
I am beginning to suspect I have a nef produced by a Hanau maker since I am unable to find the marks' origin. Anyway, here are the pics, I include a inverted one to make it stand out a bit.

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Thanks again.


RainBeau

Re: German? Nef

Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 6:31 am
by charles-edwards
hi from austria
it looks like nuremberg about 1860-1870 - it also looks similar to a firm named " neresheimer" but the N is different ! Definetely it is german and about 1870 - nice wirk - nice item - greetinhs CE

Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 10:46 am
by Bahner
Hello, agree that this is a reproduction, possibly from Hanau. Thiele in his book on Hanau silver documents several examples by various Hanau makers, Neresheimer among them. The “N” of the mark is meant to imitate the old Nürnberg city mark, Nürnberg having been one of the centers of German nef production (Augsburg being the other). It seems that not only authentic old pieces are rare, but also later reproductions. When Egger (though this was in 1972) exhibited over 160 reproductions of older silver objects, not one nef was among them, just all kinds of cups, tankards etc. Even in Neresheimer’s own collection there was just one authentic old nef (from Augsburg). The Victoria & Albert Museum has a nef, made by Nürnberg master Esaias zur Linden ca. 1620, which may have been the model for this one. Best wishes, Bahner