MONUMENTAL CONTINENTAL SILVER PIERCED OPENWORK CENTER BOWL: Made by Johann Kurz, Hanau, Germany. The .800 fine silver bowl features female masquerons with entwining full bodied snakes as handles. The pierced openwork body with repeating panels depicting double mirror image figures of Melusine, a winged mermaid of German folklore and legend carrying urns filled with fruit on her head with a large fruit filled urn centering each pair of figures. The silver body with embossed upper rim in grape leaf motif and foliate scroll motif to lower rim raised on 4 bun feet with embossed banding. The cobalt blue glass insert appears to be original. Overall 6'' h. x 20 1/4'' x 11 3/4''. Approx. 44 troy oz.
CONDITION: Several spots of unknown green tarnish, signs of use.