Here we have an exceptional piece of early Australiana, a stunning late 19th century silver plated centrepiece featuring double mounted emu eggs, each carved with Australian wildlife motifs. Under an antique dome and timber stand, this piece is in excellent condition and in its entirety is circa 1860s to 1890s.
One egg is carved with a silver-crested cockatoo and an emu, the other with a kookaburra and a kangaroo.
The setting itself is beautifully wrought, depicting bush foliage wreathing the emu eggs, as well as an Aboriginal hunter wielding a boomerang hunting two emus on the base.
Each emu egg consists of ten layers, with each layer successively lightening. To carve these scenes, the original craftsmanship would have to painstakingly carve each layer to create each colour in relief. A true testament to 19th century craftsmanship, and in a particularly desirable and rare style.
Price marked at $7500 AUD.
Silverplated centrepiece measurements: 26cm base width, 9cm depth, 30 height.
Total centrepiece measurements including timber base and glass dome: 43cm width, 21cm depth, 38cm height.
Excellent antique condition overall, tiny break to central fern. Some wear and fade to cloth surface of timber base commensurate with age. Due to the delicate nature of this item, local pick-up is strongly encouraged and please contact us for a custom shipping quote if required.
