Rococo Silver Salts with Cherubs and Nautilus Shells
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Scallop / Shell Motif - The shell motif has been used in furniture and decorative arts for centuries. In ancient Greece and Rome, shells were often used as decorative elements on furniture and in mosaics. The scallop or cockleshell are the most commonly used. During the Renaissance, the shell motif became popular in furniture and architecture, as the ornate decoration was seen as a symbol of wealth and luxury. In the 18th century, the Rococo style of furniture and decorative arts featured an abundance of shell motifs, and it was used by Thomas Chippendale and as a feature on Queen Anne style cabriole legs. In the 19th century, the shell motif was incorporated into Victorian furniture and decorative items, and often a representation of the the conch shell was inlaid into furniture.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
A Qing period Chinese bowl with brightly painted reserves of flowers and foliage, encompassed by a banding of French ormolu on a French ormolu base. 12 cm high, 37 cm diameter
A massive French silver oval centrepiece by Odiot, Paris, circa 1900 with rocaille shell and scroll base, fluted body with applied oak leaf and acorn sprays, feather and scroll border and cartouches engraved with cyphers, 19 cm high, 58 cm wide, 34 cm deep
A Victorian fancy silver basket, oval form, the flared sides with fret cut open and engraved leaf scroll, flower and seed head decoration, the applied decorative cast rim with scrolling leaf, shell and bird designs, the conforming base bracket with four sc
A Victorian white topaz and gold brooch / pendant with applied bead and ropework and with locket reverse