Rock crystal vase with two handles in the shape of griffins, in a gilded silver frame decorated with enamel
Hermann Samuel, eldest son of Salomon Ratzersdorfer, antiques and second-hand dealer, born 1815, moved to Vienna in the early 1840s. And in 1843 he opened his own factory “Goldwaren, Silber und Juwelenfabrik”. Ratzersdorfer focused on producing neo-Renaissance and neo-rococo jewelry.
At that time, such things were at the peak of popularity. Already in 1846, he successfully performed at the Vienna exhibition Gewerbsprodukte-Ausstellung. And at the World Exhibition in London in 1851, Ratzersdorfer was one of four exhibitors from Austria who demonstrated the work of Austrian jewelers. He received a medal for a 135-ounce mirror presented, “whose frame is entirely of solid silver, richly decorated with various ornaments and numerous groups and single figures.”
Goblet with a lid in the form of a carp made of rock crystal in a silver frame decorated with enamel, height 24 cm
He created a magnificent series of crystal objects in jewelry settings with enamel for the Vienna International Exhibition in 1873. These are the works you will see in the selection.
Rock crystal tazza in the form of a shell, crowned with the figure of a seated Neptune, height 23 cmCup with a lid in the form of a winged dragon made of rock crystal in a silver frameA dish of seventeen panels of rock crystal in a gilded silver frame, diameter 35.5 cmCup with a lid in the shape of a bear made of rock crystal in a silver frameJug and dish made of rock crystalA jug made of rock crystal in a gilded silver frame, height 31 cmEngraved rock crystal horn supported by a pelican with outstretched wings, in a silver setting decorated with enamelRock crystal spoon in a silver frame, probably 1880.Rock crystal dish in a gilded silver frame, diameter 50 cmHorn made of rock crystal with a hinged lid in a silver frame, crowned with a figure of a warrior on a horseNave made of rock crystal in a gilded silver frame, height 40.5 cmVase with a rock crystal lid in a gilded silver frame decorated with enamel, height 15.5 cmVessel made of rock crystal in the form of a friendly bear holding a shield, in a gilded silver frame, height 30 cmRock crystal goblet topped with a figure of Poseidon, in a gilded silver frame, height 30 cmFigurines of musicians made of rock crystal, in a gilded silver frame, height 22 cmVase made of rock crystal with handles in the form of half-sphinxes in a gilded silver frame, height 20 cmPerfume bottle made of rock crystal, in a gilded silver frame, height 14.6 cmRock crystal horn ending with a cast and chased bear’s head, 1875Pair of naves made of rock crystal in a gilded silver frame, height 30 cmRock crystal box in the shape of a turtle, length 20 cm, Hermann Ratzersdorfer, Vienna, circa 1875A goblet made of rock crystal in a gilded silver frame decorated with enamelJug and bowl made of rock crystal in a gilded silver frame, height 30.5 cmA jug made of rock crystal in a gilded silver frame, height 20 cm, 1886-1891.Rock crystal goblet in the form of a fabulous bird in a gilded silver frame, by Hermann Ratzersdorfer height 24.7 cm
