~ Cased 19th Century German Silver Wheeled Galleon Nef ~
The unmarked German silver Nef is a stylised three-masted galleon with a decorated 4½in. hull, masts with billowing sails, pennants, wire rigging and decorative dolphin rudder, contained within a shaped wheeled silver base.
It is loosely mounted on a black baize-lined base with a Plexiglass cover.
~ Nef ~
A nef is an extravagant table ornament and container used in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, made of precious metals in the shape of a ship – nef was another word for a carrack in French. If not just used for decoration, it could hold salt or spices (the latter being very expensive in the Middle Ages), or cutlery, or even napkin rings.
~ Condition ~
Please refer to the images for the condition.
~ Dimensions ~
The case is 33cm (13 inches) wide, 28cm (11 inches) tall, and 16cm (6.25 inches) wide. The Nef weighs 423g.
