Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Moon-Form Sconce or Centerpiece Component
Decorative Object / Hollowware Component · Unknown Contemporary or Mid-Century Artisan Silversmith. The piece exhibits high-quality boutique hand-working consistent with American or Scandinavian studio silver.
Pattern: Non-patterned studio art silver; unique crescent or moon-form sculptural design.
Type
Decorative Object / Hollowware Component
Maker
Unknown Contemporary or Mid-Century Artisan Silversmith. The piece exhibits high-quality boutique hand-working consistent with American or Scandinavian studio silver.
Material
Likely Sterling Silver (.925 purity) based on the surface grain and oxidation color. The base shows a significant amount of metal, possibly sand-cast or heavily raised.
Dimensions
Estimated at 12-15cm in width; weight is likely substantial (200-400g) given the thick gauge of the rim seen in the cross-section.
Description
A striking example of modernist metalwork, this piece features a deep, crescent-shaped bowl with a dual-finish treatment. The interior is meticulously hand-hammered to create a frosted, stippled texture that contrasts beautifully with the sleek, high-polish exterior. The curvilinear form suggests celestial inspiration common in the atomic age.
Key Features
Deep crescent profile, heavy gauge metal rim, and the high-contrast martelé hand-hammered interior texture.
Material & Composition
Likely Sterling Silver (.925 purity) based on the surface grain and oxidation color. The base shows a significant amount of metal, possibly sand-cast or heavily raised.
Finish & Decoration
Hand-hammered 'martelé' texture on the interior/underside, creating a stippled, light-refracting effect. The exterior shows a high-mirror polish typical of modernist design aesthetics.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Not visible in the current photograph. Expected marks would be on the narrow terminal of the neck or inside the rim, typically 'Sterling' and a maker's mark (e.g., Kalo, Jensen, or a local artisan).
Construction Details
Hand-raised and forged. The visible interior texture indicates extensive planishing with a small round-faced hammer. The sharp transition to the neck suggests a soldered joint or high-skill raising from a single thick ingot.
Functional Features
Crescent shape designed to catch light or hold a small object; potential use as a candle reflector or wall-mounted sconce element.
Handle & Grip Details
Tapered silver neck serves as the structural support/grip; solid silver construction without secondary materials.
Craftsmanship Details
Superb hand-wrought evidence. The evenness of the hammered texture and the crispness of the rim edge indicate a master silversmith's work rather than an amateur's.
Authentication Indicators
The presence of genuine hand-hammered marks (not machine-stamped) and the natural greyish-black sulfide tarnish are consistent with high-purity silver rather than plated base metal.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely USA (New York or Chicago schools) or Scandinavia (Denmark/Sweden), known for hand-hammered modernist hollowware.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (1945–1970). The organic, minimalist form eschews traditional ornamentation in favor of celebrating the raw material and sculptural shape.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950–1965 based on the martelé finish application and the specific curve of the crescent.
Cultural Significance
Represents the post-war shift from ornate Victorian styles to 'Organic Modernism,' where the beauty of the item was derived from its form and the evident skill of the maker.
Condition Notes
Good survival condition. Some visible tarnish and light surface scratches on the polished side. The hammered interior shows light oxidation in the recesses. No major dents or structural cracks visible.
Value Estimate
$300 - $800 USD, significantly higher if a recognized maker's mark (such as Georg Jensen or Hans Christensen) is found.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver foam (like Wright's) using a soft brush to reach the hammered recesses. Avoid abrasive cloths on the polished exterior. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth bag.
Similar Pieces
Works by Arthur Stone or The Kalo Shop; distinguished from mass-produced 'silver-plate' moons by the thickness and the non-uniformity of the hammer strikes.
Interesting Facts
Hand-hammering was often used by studio silversmiths to hide small imperfections in the metal and to prove that the piece was not factory-stamped by a machine.