A pair of German silver presentation vases, unmarked, circa 1915

each on a cast triform base rising to a similar ovoid body decorated with ribbon-tied vignettes and applied with three caryatids below everted lips, engraved with an inscription

The Thurn und Taxis Collection, Sotheby's, Geneva, 17 November 1992, lot 2

overall good condition, would benefit from professional cleaning. For all sales which take place on or after 1 February 2015, please note that the rate of buyer's premium for each lot (charged as a percentage of the hammer price achieved for that lot) has been revised and shall be calculated at the thresholds set out below: Buyer's premium is 25% of the hammer price up to and including £100,000; Buyer's premium is 20% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £100, 000 up to and including £1,800,000; Buyer's premium is 12% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £1,800,000. As stated above, the revised thresholds are effective as of 1 February 2015.
"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 read: 'Seinem [sic] Durchlauchtigsten Protektor Fürst Albert u. Ihrer kaiserlichen u. königlichen hoheit. Frau FürstinMargarete Clementine v. Thurn u. Taxis. Zur Silberhochzeit am 15. Juli 1915. in Dankbarkeit und Verehrung gewidmet von Mitgliedern d. Rennvereins Regensburg'

These vases were presented on 15 July 1915, the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary to His Most Serene Protector Prince Albert and Her Royal Highness Princess Margarethe Klemmentine of Thurn und Taxis by Members of the Regensbug Racing Association. 

A silver medallion C.Poellath was struck to commemorate the Silver Wedding and the event was further celebrated by the publication in Regensburg in 1915 of Friedrich Carl Esbach’s book, Festschrift zur Silberhochzeit des Fürstenpaares von Thurn und Taxis am 15. Juli 1915.

Albert, 8^th Prince of Thurn und Taxis, was born at Regensburg, Bavaria, on 8 May 1867. He succeeded to the title upon the death of his brother in 1885 and was married on 15 July 1890 in Budapest, Archduchess Margarethe Klementine of Austria (1870-1955), daughter of Archduke Joseph Karl of Austria, by whom he had eight children.