An elegant silver gravy boat crafted by Lazarus Posen, featuring two stylish double auriform handles that blend functionality with artistic design. The gravy boat is affixed to a matching tray, creating a cohesive and sophisticated presentation. Both the boat and tray are adorned with intricate geometric foliate patterns, complemented by delicate bow motifs that enhance the overall aesthetic. The smooth, polished surface beautifully contrasts with the detailed embellishments, highlighting the craftsmanship characteristic of Lazarus Posen’s renowned silverwork.
Hallmarked at bottom base
Posen Silver, formally known as Lazarus Posen Witwe, was a prestigious Jewish-owned silversmith company based in Frankfurt, Germany. Founded by Lazarus Posen in the early 19th century, the company gained an esteemed reputation for its high-quality silver craftsmanship, specializing in both secular and Judaic silverwork, including Torah ornaments, spice towers, Kiddush cups, and elaborate silverware.
Following the death of Lazarus Posen, the company continued operations under the management of his widow, hence the name "Witwe" (widow) Posen. Under her leadership and later generations of the family, the firm flourished, becoming one of the most prominent Jewish silversmith businesses in Germany, known for its exceptional designs, detailed craftsmanship, and luxury silver items. Posen Silver was widely recognized across Europe, and its works were sought after in Jewish and aristocratic circles alike.
However, with the rise of the Nazi regime, Jewish businesses faced increasing persecution. The situation reached its peak on Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass), November 9–10, 1938, a violent pogrom in which Nazi forces and their sympathizers attacked Jewish-owned businesses, synagogues, and homes across Germany and Austria. During this brutal assault, Posen Silver was forcibly shut down by the Nazis, marking the tragic end of one of the most significant Jewish silversmithing enterprises of its time.
Like many Jewish businesses during the Holocaust, the company’s assets were seized, and its owners and workers faced persecution, displacement, or worse. The destruction of Posen Silver on Kristallnacht serves as a symbol of the broader devastation inflicted upon Jewish culture, craftsmanship, and economic life by the Nazi regime. Despite its tragic end, Posen Silver's legacy endures through its surviving works, which are now prized by collectors and museums as a testament to the rich heritage of Jewish silver craftsmanship.
24cm L., x 17cm W., x 11cm H.
20.1ozt.
Good condition, some scratches
Share this lot: