Very fine Viennese enamel ship

In the form of a single-masted sailing ship on wheels, so-called "Nef". Silver, gilded and partially enameled. Ship-shaped curved body with faithfully depicted mast, sails, rigging, and canopy-like structure. Several armed figure representations on the fore and aft decks as well as in the mast basket. Hull, canopy, pennant, and sails adorned with finely painted, polychrome enameled scenes from mythology. Railing worked in rocaille style. Signed, hallmarked, master K. u. k. Court supplier Ludwig Politzers (active since around 1876). Weight approximately 515 g. Height 18.5 cm. 22.5 cm x 6.5 cm. Ludwig Politzer was one of the most important silversmiths and jewelers of the second half of the 19th century in Vienna. He specialized in the production of enameled art objects, silver works, and similar Nefs based on Renaissance models. His artworks were exhibited in Paris in 1878 and 1900 at the International Exhibitions. See Neuwirth, Vienna, Lexicon, Vol. II, p. 110 ff. Provenance: Royal House of Hanover, Auction "The Royal House of Hanover/Das Königshaus von Hannover", Sotheby's, Schloss Marienburg, 5-15 October 2005, Additional lot: Lot 2573; thereafter in a private collection in Brandenburg. A very fine and decorative Austrian gilt silver mounted enamel Nef by Ludwig Politzer (active since around 1876). Assay and master's mark. Austria, Vienna, around 1880.