Antique German Bears

Primula Auricula L. German: Aurikel French: Auricule English: Bear’s Ear Auricula 3.

The plate is headed “Vierfüßige Thiere LXXXVI / Animalia Quadrupedia LXXXVI / Quadrupèdes LXXXVI” and bears the original German caption: “Der Sanga od.

The highly detailed composition represents an early phase of Art Nouveau, combining naturalistic figures and flowing floral ornament with elements inherited from Renaissance and Baro...

The work is unsigned, but is inscribed "Gerlings" to the reverse and bears indistinct German inscriptions on the stretchers.

Due to the assonance between the words Berndorf and Bärendorf (in German the last word means "bear village"), many of the factory marks contain a bear profile.

Notably, the top drawer bears an Austro-german stamp and is complemented by unique gilt-bronze pulls that depict two finely rendered portraits and the inscription “Volderdank” (Thank...

Brass Compound Microscope in Case Ernst Leitz Dated 1897 This rare late 19th-century compound microscope was crafted by the renowned optical firm Ernst Leitz GmbH of Wetzlar, German...

Cast figural finial in form of dancing bear standing on hindlegs, arms embracing an imaginary partner.

That said, a strikingly similar, if slightly plainer commode in a private German collection bears an old paper label that identifies it as having been made in the city of Altona.

This ravishing Art Nouveau silver plated centrepiece is decorated with butterflies, flowers, and budding tendrils, and retains the original applied patina and cobalt-blue-glass liner...