Inkwell

Royal Prussian Iron Foundries

1815-20

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Molded, hollow creamware figure of a recumbent ewe on a mound of green grass, the ewe highlighted in brown, blue and yellow.
Assembled pair of solid light blue jasper covered custard cups and tray with applied white jasper relief decoration, the lozenge-shaped tray with acanthus leaf motifs around the inner edge, each cup is bulbous in shape with applied white, stylized acanthus leaf motifs around the lower body and a band of guilloche around the waist, with loop handles featuring shell motifs underneath, the covers slightly domed and with leaf motifs and ball finials with white bands, the cups lapidary polished on the inside.
Oval dark blue jaser medallion with white relief portrait profile of Josef Franz Haydn (1732-1809) , set in plated silver frame surrounded with rhinestones. Haydn was a Austrian composer, he became a chorister in Vienna at the age of eight, and learned to play the pianoforte and the violin. When his voice broke he earned a scanty livelihood by playing the violin, and he had produced his first opera by the age of twenty. In 1758 he came to the notice of Prince Anton Esterhazy, and in the year following produced his first symphony. By this time he had achieved considerable popularity in Vienna, and Esterhazy made hi Vice-Kapellminster of the Court Orchestra in 1760. his success continued through Esterhazy's life and continued on after his death.
Obverse: Bust in profile right. Reverse: A crown above a scepter and sword (crossed) with oak branches left and laurel branches right.