Viennese Silver Enamel Ship Centrepiece by Herman Bohm
A 19th century Viennese silver and enamel nef, by Herman Bohm, the extravagantly decorated ship shaped table centrepiece in silver gilt and enamel. The oval ship's hull raised on dolphin supports from a domed quatrefoil base, finely enamelled with allegorical vignettes. The enamelling continues to the three masts, bowsprit and billowing sails. Miniature enamelled figures stride the repousse and pierced deck and further sailors climb the rigging and watch from the crow's nest. The superstructure lifts to reveal the hull interior enamelled with further allegorical scenes, width 23 x D.9 x height 11.02 in.
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- Quatrefoil - A stylised four-circle design, itself contained within a larger circle, with Gothic origins and often seen as window designs in ecclesiastical architecture. The use of the motif was popular in Gothic Revival furniture of the 19th century.
- Nef - A nef is an elaborate table ornament, usually in silver or gold, and usually in the form of a sailing ship, designed to hold condiments, in use in the Middle Ages and Renaisance period.
- Embossed / Repousse - Embossing, also known as repousse, is the technique of decorating metal with raised designs, by pressing or beating out the design from the reverse side of the object.It is the opposite of chasing, where the decoration is applied from the front. An embossed or repoussed object may have chasing applied to finish off the design.
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