Antique silver model of saddled horse
Antique silver model of saddled horse
Antique sterling silver model of a saddled horse, cast and hand chased, and mounted on an ebonised wooden base. Made in Holland and featuring London 1910 import marks.
The head of this fine animal is detachable which is common for animal models of this age made in Germany and Holland, where making silver models for the British market was thriving.
During this period, a minor trade war broke out in Europe with England imposing a tax on luxury goods, including silver models. To legally avoid this punitive tax, enterprising workshops in Germany and Holland adapted their designs of animals, ships and birds, making them into vessels. Ships were made into two parts, hull and deck with masts and rigging; while birds and animals like this horse had removable heads. Suddenly they were no longer considered just luxury items, they were functional.
From traditional game birds to knights in armour and nefs (model ships on wheels) and animals. These models were made in sterling silver (925) and each imported piece was usually sent to a UK assay office to be tested and stamped with import hallmarks. This ploy persisted into the early 20th century, when the tax was removed.
Dimensions:
1910 import
London
Excellent
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
 and animals. These models were made in sterling silver (925) and each imported piece was usually sent to a UK assay office to be tested and stamped with import hallmarks. This ploy persisted into the early 20th century, when the tax was removed.){kind=link}