Antique, Victorian era figure of a jester. Gilded sterling silver, paste gems, mother of pearl nautilus shell. Made in Hanau Germany and imported to London in 1901.

Measures approximately 9 1/4 inches (23cm) high. Weighs 556grams. 

Figurine of a jester, brilliantly incorporating a nautilus sea shell as the paunchy body. The rest in gilded sterling silver, very richly set with cabochon paste gems. Wonderful detail from the facial features, to the pompoms on shoes and cap. Super character in the modelling of his face.
One outstretched hand holds a gage of some kind, that spins. One of the glass beads on this mechanism is missing - see pictures. Quality of the workmanship is exceptional and the aesthetic appeal is superb. Glowing pearly iridescence from the mother of pearl, bright colours of the colette set gems. The octogonal base shows a lot more gilding than the rest of the body. 

Fully hallmarked for London 1901 on the base. The British importing firm JGP (in lieu of the maker's mark), lion for sterling, date letter f for 1901, F in oval cartouche for import mark, and leopard head for London. <P>
One arm of the mechanism in his hand has an f and lion for the date and sterling standard.

Besides the missing glass bead, the figure is in good condition.