Glass And Silver Rooster-Form Jug. Hanau, J.D. Schleissner Sohne.

A rare and striking decorative jug in the form of a rooster, combining transparent engraved glass and finely modelled silver mounts of high artistic merit. The upper section is a hinged lid shaped as a rooster's head, featuring a crisply defined comb and beak, and expressive red glass eyes imitating the lifelike gaze of a bird.The smooth glass body is adorned with engraved feather motifs that enhance the zoomorphic character of the object. The lower section is finished as the bird's tail and clawed feet, masterfully cast in silver with richly textured detail. The silver base serves not only as a stable support but also as a sculptural culmination of the design. A curved glass handle seamlessly integrates into the silhouette, emphasizing its fluid form.Created by the renowned workshop J.D. Schleissner Sohne in Hanau - a celebrated German centre of historical-style silverware - the piece represents a late 19th-century fascination with fantastical animal forms, admired as symbols of luxury and refined taste. Marks: Bearing the maker's mark of J.D. Schleissner Sohne and full German hallmarks typical for Hanau in the late 19th century. Dimensions: Height 31 cm, width 15 cm. ConditionThe piece is in good condition with minimal signs of age. Silver elements are intact and undistorted; engraving is crisp. ProvenanceGermany, Hanau, J.D. Schleissner Sohne workshop, late 19th century

The second half of the 19th century witnessed a revival of historical styles in German decorative arts. Hanau emerged as a leading centre for such production, with workshops like J.D. Schleissner Sohne gaining international acclaim for their neo-Rococo, Baroque, and Renaissance-inspired creations. Founded in 1817, Schleissner earned a reputation for excellence in silver craftsmanship, catering to European aristocracy and affluent collectors. Zoomorphic vessels - including jugs and caskets shaped as animals or birds - became highly desirable as luxurious showpieces, blending artistry with whimsy. This rooster-form jug exemplifies the Gesamtkunstwerk ideal, where glass conveys lightness and transparency, and silver provides sculptural depth and elegance.The rooster, a traditional European symbol of vigilance and awakening, adds allegorical meaning. With red glass eyes and finely engraved plumage, this piece stands as a superb example of late 19th-century decorative fantasy. Comparable works can be found in major museum collections, such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and Historisches Museum Frankfurt.