Hanau Neresheimer (?) Silver 'Rococo' Monkey Spoon with Figures

Hanau encompasses a broad category of silver produced in the late 19th to early 20 centuries in and around the German city of this name.

Stylistically it often mirrors silver from other countries, particularly France, and from earlier periods.

Marking is idiosyncratic, often even obscure, employing pseudo hallmarks that are generally challenging to identify.

This example is a 6" long, 1.1 T. oz. piece known as a "monkey spoon," which characteristically has a handle with a hooked or turned end so it can hang from the edge of a bowl.

Typical of Hanau work, this is cast and features a variety of figural and other rococo design elements.

The main subject is a full-sized cherub set in the middle of the bowl and surrounded by a reticulated background of leaves and scrolls.

The bowl rim incorporates an array of birds, leaves, and scrolls.

There is a cherub's face with a shell diadem placed at the join with the handle, and an eagle with raised wings on the handle end.

This has three marks on the handle back, which, as noted above and consistent with Hanau silver, are not immediately meaningful, although given one of them is an "N" this may have been made by the firm of "B. Neresheimer & Sohne," late 19th century onward.

Solid silver, this is without a standard mark, so could be anything from .800 silver (most likely) to sterling, which are all standards in which Hanau was produced.

It is in flawless condition, with no wear or damage, such as bends, breaks, or repairs, and the finish is a warm silver gray.