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  Christopher Dresser / Heath & Middleton Aesthetic Movement Claret Jug 1881

  CHRISTOPHER DRESSER  (1834-1904)  UK
  HEATH & MIDDLETON  Birmingham, England

  Claret jug   1881

  Very rare model in sterling silver with a bone handle, crystal body

  Marks: JTH JHM, Reg. mark for May 9, 1881, London assay marks for 1881 (“F” in a shield)

  Illustrated: Truth, Beauty, Power: Dr. Christopher Dresser 1834-1904, exhib. cat. Historical Design, Inc. (New York, 1998) p. 63

  This signature Dresser claret jug appears in Nikolaus Pevsner’s landmark book from 1936 entitled “Pioneers of Modern Design”.

  H: 8 3/8″

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  Bismarck Family Crown – House of Koch, Chignon crown, Moonstones and diamonds set in an elaborate platinum mount, original leather box, c. 1900

  BISMARCK FAMILY CROWN

  HOUSE OF KOCH Germany
  

  Chignon crown c. 1900

  Moonstones and diamonds set in an elaborate platinum mount, original leather box

  The renowned “House of Koch” made this remarkable bejeweled chignon for the Bismarck family of Lauenburg, Germany. It is an early example of exquisite work in platinum and is set with cabochon moonstones and rose cut diamonds. The jewelry firm, known as the “House of Koch” was founded by Robert and Louis Koch in 1879 in Frankfurt, Germany with a branch in Baden-Baden. By 1883, the jewelers had earned the coveted title of Jeweler of the Court of Frankfurt and crafted jewels for many European Royal families. In fact, their jewels were famous across Europe, and their fashionable styles were worn in the courts of several European royals including the King of Italy and the Czar of Russia. By the time Robert Bosch had assumed control of the firm in 1938, the Koch family was forced to “Aryanize” their jewelry house. It was common during the late nineteenth Century for prestigious families to retool old antique heirloom pieces to bring them up to contemporary fashion standards and since this chignon has characteristics of both the 18th and the 19th Century jewelry, it was likely made from older pieces owned by the Bismarck family. The company closed doors in 1987 and jewels from the great time of the House of Koch are very much sought after in today’s antique jewelry market.