mark of Josef Carl von Klinlosch, Vienna, 900/1000 standard silver, circa 1880, of oval form with reed and tie borders, fully marked side hinged and slightly domed cover with ribbon finial and gilt washed interior, raised on a squat pedestal foot 14 x 12cm, 11.5ozt Footnote: Josef Carl von Klinkosch was one of the finest Viennese silversmiths of the late 19th century. He was apprenticed to his father and became a certified silversmith in 1844. Because of Carl's superb craftsmanship, the firm quickly flourished. It became particularly famous for their objets de vertu, which attracted the attention of the Royal family and the Imperial Court and in 1837 the firm became the official Imperial Court silversmiths. In 1851 Josef took over the running of his father’s business and further improved the style and quality of their creations. Their customers were now drawn from the upper middle classes and the elite nobility of Europe. In 1855 he was awarded the Imperial Warrant to the Court of Emperor Franz Josef of Austria and in 1869 he became the Purveyor to the Imperial Household. Josef was knighted in 1879 and in 1884 he retired, passing the company on to his sons, Arthur and Isidor. During his retirement he built up an extensive private art collection with his fortune, which was auctioned off after his death in 1889. In 1918 the firm was sold to Arthur Krupp, who renamed it 'J.C.Klinkosch AG'. The company closed in 1972. Today, Klinkosch items are much sought after by collectors.