Of oval form with everted undulating rim bordered in silver and terminating at ends in leafy scrolls, the copper body applied to one side with a bear head, the other with an oxen head, both flanked by boughs of pine, the ends further applied with scrolls and pinecones where four antler branches extend, the branches wrapped with silver strapwork and topped by copper drip pans with scalloped silver rims and copper campana-form nozzles, all raised on four copper bracket feet cast as acanthus, underside with retail mark for Shreve, Crump, & Lowe Co.
24 in. (86.3 cm.) long

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Lot Essay

Joseph Heinrich was an important arts-and-crafts movement metal worker of the early 20th century. Though his work is often unsigned, the hammered copper and distinctly American decorative schemes are easily identifiable. Heinrich often retailed his work through firms like Tiffany & Co. in New York and Shreve, Crump & Lowe Co. in Boston, whose clients were newly interested in the possibility of American design as an evolving movement.
Works by Heinrich of this monumental scale are incredibly rare, with the only known comparable works being a punch service in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Accession Number 1993-65-1), and an almost identical service sold in these rooms, 21 January, 2000, Lot 221, for $134,500, as well as a clock sold Sotheby’s, New York, 15 December, 2011, Lot 20. Additionally, very few examples of lighting by Heinrich, specifically candelabra, are known to exist.
For similar applied silver oxen and bear heads, as well as antlers with similar silver strapwork mounts, see a pair of tankards sold Sotheby’s, New York, 15 December, 2011, Lot 21. For another similar example of silver strapwork on antler, see a pitcher set sold in these rooms, 21 January, 2000, Lot 222.