HINGED BOX BY DANIEL CHRISTIAN SCHLIESSNER
Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 4:36 pm
Hinged box by Daniel Christian Schleissner (J.D.Schleissner und Söhne — Hannau). Two and a half inches across the lid and 3.5 oz. Gilt interior.
``Augsburg acorn`` and two already identified pseudo marks related to this silversmith;``sickle`` mark is often found, the ``chalice`` mark with four dots is not recorded here (or I may be wrong), but seen elsewhere.
Regarding craftsmanship; the lid of the box is NOT chased but cast and then hand chiseled. Although well filed and polished after chiseling, tiny scattered traces of casting betray the technique. The body is made of rolled and then soldered sheet of silver. Solder line in the body can be detected inside under close examination, although cleverly made in line with one of chased ribs (arrow number 1).Unlike commonly seen 19th century and later boxes and beakers, where the bottom is soldered DIRECTLY to the body (which cannot be hidden) this piece shows very clever craftsmanship; the bottom with decor is soldered about ¼ inches proximally and well hidden within chased and chiseled décor of the body (arrow number 2).What else? If carefully examined with fingertips one can feel very thick lid in contrast with slightly thinner body. In a word, it looks as if the box was hammered out of a single sheet of silver but it was not. Another point; there IS ribbed décor like this in genuine Augsburg 1700 silver but roses should arise suspicion.
There is but a little doubt J.D.Schleissner und Söhne made reproduction silver of outstanding quality (among other features — being very heavy for the size).
This can be a dangerous piece in inexperienced hands if not struck with well known Hannau marks.