800 silver, partly fire gilded
Germany, Hanau, around 1900
Karl Söhnlein & Söhne (1888-1956)
Beautiful relief decor
Fire gilding on the inside
Overall dimensions: 3.5 x 16 x 10.3
Weight: 345 grams
Hallmarked: purity „800“, maker’s mark
Good condition

This skillfully crafted casket in 800 silver was made by the German manufacturers Karl Söhnlein & Söhne in Hanau around the 1900s. The manufacturers established their business in Haunau, Germany in 1888 and were taken over by another successful silver manufacturer Schleissner Söhne in 1927. The walls show floral tendrils with classical bow decoration that works its way around the sides of the casket. The true mastery of the craftsmen however becomes apparent when inspecting the marry scene on the lid. It shows a peasant scene in which three couples are dancing in a garden with trees, whilst one man is playing an instrument. On the right is a little wooden barn and in the background stand a church. The decoration in high relief is skillfully worked in great detail, so that a sense of perspective is created. In the center a woman is lifted off the ground by her partner and her shoes in high relief seem to come out of the casket creating three-dimensionality. When one now inspects the clouds that are most likely the furthest away, one realizes that these are merely indicated by engraved hatched lines. The sky with its round and almost rolling clouds reminds of Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night”, which was painted around the same time. On the inside this stunning casket is fire gilt, which creates another awe-inspiring effect on the beholder.



The silver casket is in good condition with slight traces of wear. The silver has oxidized. The bottom of the box is hallmarked with the purity “800” and a maker’s mark. The weight is 345 grams and the dimensions are 3.5 x 16 x 10.3 cm. (khe)

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