Charles Julius Minter (1812 – 1892), Casket with lid in the form of a tombstone of King Stefan Batory, tin
Tin casket, so called "serviette", in the form of a tomb of King Stefan Batory. The body with convex sides, decorated with imitation fittings, supported on lion's feet. The lid depicts a model of the bas-relief from the tomb of Stefan Batory, located in St. Mary's Chapel in Wawel Castle. The king is shown in a semi-recumbent position with a scepter and apple, clad in armor and coronation cloak.
Casket designed by Wojciech Święcki and Kazimierz Stronczyński, made around 1857 in the Warsaw factory of artistic castings of Karol Minter.
Coin Necklace, Silver, Rock Crystal, Bronze, Poland, 17th Century
A necklace crafted from faceted beads of cut rock crystal, varying in size and clarity, and Russian silver kopecks. These are small coins known as 'teardrops' or 'wire coins' due to their distinctive shape. Some coins were left flat, with specially made perforations allowing them to be strung onto a cord.
The central accent of the composition is an ancient, three-edged Scythian bronze arrowhead, dated to approximately the 7th–6th century BC. In the 17th century, it was set in silver and fitted with a loop for suspension. Its presence indicates that certain finds were perceived as extraordinary objects endowed with special significance, regardless of any lack of knowledge about their origin and function. Undoubtedly, the creator of the necklace had no knowledge of ancient Scythians or their weaponry.
An immense rarity on the collector's market! A great treat for enthusiasts of the culture and traditions of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth!
Nuremberg basin (Beckenschlägerschüssel) with memento mori decoration, brass, Germany (Nuremberg), 15th-16th century
Round basin, deep; the surface of the mirror slightly convex, passing with an oblique fold into the side wall; in the center of the mirror a repoussed, stylized human skull above crossed tibias, all around a bordure of fleur-de-lis punched with punctures; a narrow, slightly oblique collar with the same ornament at the edge. Edge curled outward, probably reinforced with wire. In places, especially in the recesses, visible remnants of a coating of white metal - most likely tin.
Stepping lion, gilt silver, Western Europe, 17th-18th century.
Small, realistically reproduced figurine of a lion with clear detail of the mouth and mane, made of silver, partly fire-gilded. Set on a slightly curved, florist-decorated pedestal. Visible traces of handwork - chiseling and engraving. Probably a fragment of a larger object - a reliquary, ceremonial casket or processional gate.
Table spoon, silver, Wrocław, early 18th century
Silver tablespoon with a richly decorated flat handle, ending with a characteristic profiled button in the Baroque style. On the top side, finely engraved floral ornaments - typical of Central European Baroque. On the underside of the scoop part, two punches: the city mark of Wroclaw (St. John's head in a circle) and the probationer's mark (the letter "H" in a heart). A proboscis in the place of joining the handle with the scoop - an element typical of Lower Silesian workshops of the period.