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Rare Huge Silver Gilt Historic Ewer, Hanau, Germany, Circa 1880. This very large silver ewer was conceived after a historic piece from the 15th century, which is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New-York thought to belong to Hartmann von Stockheim, Nuremberg master of the Order of Teutonic Knights. Created in the late 19th century by a Hanauer silver manufactory which had specialized in the reproduction of historical objects and period style silverware. This ewer differs in some details from the original. Only two other similar ewers are known to exist and nowadays preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New-York. The original ewer is one of the largest preserved examples of late medieval silversmithing. The present pitcher is a museum-quality piece and an example of the high level of skill of the Hanau silversmiths. The ewer is profusely decorated with chase and relief work depicting characters from Germanic mythology and floral ornaments. The upper part of the ewer portrays the face of Odin (supreme god and creator of cosmos according to the Germanic paganism) and his wife Frigg. The base is made with four other faces of Germanic gods (Thor & Sif or Loki & Freja). The hinged cover is topped with a hexagonal castle or altar on top of which seats a Teutonic Knight holding a lance. The handle is made in the form of a mythological creature most likely a Dragon or Basilisk. The cover's border is applied with a pierced tiara. Marked with Hanau Pseudo marks (on the base and on the cover). Height: 58.5cm. Base diameter: 18cm. 3120gr.