Andreas Eckhardt pair of Romanian silver-gilt octagonal dishes

the central raised bosses engraved with the arms of Barcsai, inscription and coronet, the raised borders richly embossed and chased with fruit, foliate scrolls and other motifs, the undersides engraved with the initials ‘NEGTP GBE’ and dated ‘1659,’ the underside of one further inscribed and dated 1918

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

Central point on both dishes have restoration. This is probably a result of manufacturing and earlier armorial. This is only noticeable from back. Otherwise normal nicks, dents, scratches, but general condition and barcsai arms very good, very nice colour, good marks.
"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 goldmith is first recorded working in 1602  and to have made an item 57 years later would have been unusual for those times.  The later inscription reads: ‘ESTERHÁZY MORICZ KÁROLYI MARGIT 1918 MÁRCZIUS 23.’
The later inscription and the date 23 March 1918 refer to the marriage 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.