An impressive Franz von Stuck WMF figural centrepiece, circa 1900. The centrepiece cast as Mercury standing on a tortoise, clutching a nautil shell with a feminine mask, mounted with a putti seated on a dolphin, crafted from silver-plated alloy and supported on an ebonised circular base, The quiver is stamped WMF and numbered 30 (see Art Nouveau Metal Work p370 Flower Vases No.3). Von Ostini records that the Nautil was one of the first sculptural works created by Franz von Stuck, he himself owned a bronze version of the present model which mounted a real nautil shell. Versions in silver-plated alloy were executed by WMF (Württemberg Electro Platepany) during the Art Nouveau period, approx 46.5 cms h, the base measures 19 cms d x 5 cms h. Total height 51.5 cms.