697 - PRESUMABLY THE NETHERLANDS

PRESUMABLY THE NETHERLANDS Title: Large Silver Figurines of the Old Testament High Priests Aaron and Melchizedek. Date: Late 17th Century / early 18th c. Material: Silver. Weight ca. 1880g resp. ca. 2150g. Measurement: Height 48.5cm / 47 cm. Seal: No visible marks. Description: The two high priests stand on separate square pedestals in a relaxed contrapposto pose. The figures are rendered in full relief. Aaron holds the censer, his characteristic attribute, in his left hand and wears the breastplate with the twelve stones. His counterpart is Melchizedek who holds a jug of wine in one hand and three loaves of bread in the other These two large standing figurines were probably originally part of an altar setting and allude to the Eucharist. They may have stood immediately next to the tabernacle. Both symbolise the Eucharist and the Old Testament high priesthood. It is entirely conceivable that they formed part of the furnishings of a Catholic 'Schuilkerk'. These churches which resembled simple residential houses from the outside often featured richly decorated interiors Provenance: - Formerly collection »Haus Lüttgens«, Aachen Literature: Lüttgens, Aachen (ed.): Haus Lüttgens, Alt-Aachener Wohnkultur, Aachen n. d., plate 61 Estimated shipping costs for this lot: Inland: 43.70 Euro plus 8.30 Euro VAT EU: 58.82 Euro plus 11.18 Euro VAT Third country: 117.65 Euro plus 22.35 Euro VAT additional shipping insurance Shipping insurance up to total invoice amount of 25,000 Euros: max. 41.65 Euro over a total invoice amount of 25,000 Euros: 1.8 o/oo USA by individual arrangement after the auction. #Presumably The Netherlands #Silver.