A pair of Romanian silver-gilt octagonal dishes, Andreas Eckhardt, Sibiu (Hermannstadt), circa 1640

octagonal, the central raised bosses engraved with the arms, coronet and motto of Barcsai, the raised borders richly embossed and chased with pomegranate and medlar fruit, foliate scrolls and other motifs, the undersides engraved with the initials ‘NEGTP GBE’ and dated ‘1659', one further inscribed 'ESTERHAZY MORICZ KAROLYI MARGIT 1918 MARCZIUS 23.'

Dr. Heller's Lexicon, Sotheby's, London, 4 December 2012, lot 215

Exh. Cat. Couven-Museum Aachen, 2003, no. 31

Dr. Istvávn Heller and  Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schneider, article published in conjunction with TEFAF Maastricht 2003, pp 16-21, Masterpieces of European Goldsmiths’ works 1560-1860, Couven Museum, Aachen, 2003, no. 4

Maker's mark only clearly stamped to each border. No obvious splits or repairs. The gilding is good with light wear to highest points of embossed decoration. Good overall condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The inscriptions on the bosses read: ‘ACHA : BAR : D : G : PRI : TRAN : PAR : RE : HVN : DOTE : SIC : COMES:’ (Achativs Barcsai Dei Gratia Princeps Transsilvaniae Partium Regni Hungariae Dominus Siculorum Comes.)

It is possible that the Barcsai arms which were engraved around 1659, coinciding with Achatius Barcsai becoming prime minister of Transylvania in 1658, are slightly later than the dish itself. The goldsmith is first recorded working in 1602 and to have made an item 57 years later would have been unusual for those times. Another silver-gilt example, engraved with the Barcsai arms, was sold Sotheby's Geneva, 12 November 1990, lot 137. 

The later inscription that reads: ‘ESTERHÁZY MORICZ KÁROLYI MARGIT 1918 MÁRCZIUS 23.’ refers to the marriage (23 March 1918) of Moritz Graf Esterházy (otherwise Móric Esterházy de Galantha), 1881-1960, and Margit Karolyi, 1896-1975.

Esterházy, the son of Miklós Esterházy (1855-1925) and his wife Franziska (née von Schwarzenberg), 1861-1951, was briefly Prime Minister of Hungary towards the end of the First World War. He afterwards remained in politics but was ultimately arrested in 1944 by the Gestapo for failing to support the German occupation. He was deported to Mauthausen concentration camp, from which he was liberated in 1945, but upon his return to Hungary was arrested by the Communists. He was able to leave his native country for Austria in 1956.