A SMALL COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE SILVER
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THE WHAT IS? SILVER DICTIONARY

NEF

nef is a dinner-table ornamental or utilitarian article in the form of a model of a ship, with masts, sails, rigging and with various figures on board.
The ancient examples (13th-16th century) were drinking cups. The later were receptacles for dining implements.
Such pieces were used in France, Germany, Spain and Italy but most of the extant nefs were made in Germany at the end of the 19th century.
silver nef: Germany end of the 19th century



A German silver large nef made by Neresheimer in Hanau at the end of the 19th century.
It has three masts, set sails, the deck with numerous sailors and cannons.
The hull is chased with scenes of Galatea in her dolphin-drawn chariot. The bow sprit is formed as a twin-tailed triton holding a fish and rushes on four wheels with dolphin-form spokes.
silver nef: Germany end of the 19th century silver nef: Germany end of the 19th century
silver nef: Germany end of the 19th century
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