Gebrüder Friedländer 800 Silver Hollowware Piece
Hollowware (likely a Tray, Platter, or Bowl base) · Gebrüder Friedländer (Friedländer Brothers), Berlin, Germany. Founded in 1829, they were prestigious Court Jewelers to the Prussian Emperors and German Kaisers, known for high-quality luxury silver and jewelry.
Pattern: Custom or standard workshop production; specific pattern cannot be determined from the reverse side mark alone.
Type
Hollowware (likely a Tray, Platter, or Bowl base)
Maker
Gebrüder Friedländer (Friedländer Brothers), Berlin, Germany. Founded in 1829, they were prestigious Court Jewelers to the Prussian Emperors and German Kaisers, known for high-quality luxury silver and jewelry.
Material
800 Silver (80% pure silver, 20% copper). This was the national standard for silver in Germany following the 1888 unification of marking laws.
Dimensions
Indeterminate from image; however, Friedländer pieces of this type typically range from 30cm to 50cm for platters, weighing 600g to 1500g.
Description
This is a significant piece of German silver from one of Berlin's most esteemed houses. Gebrüder Friedländer served as the primary silversmiths to the Hohenzollern dynasty. The markings denote an item of official standard and high social standing, produced during the peak of Germany's 'Gilded Age'.
Key Features
Court Jeweler (Hofjuwelier) provenance, distinctive German Imperial hallmarks, and the prestigious 'FRIEDLAENDER' maker's stamp.
Material & Composition
800 Silver (80% pure silver, 20% copper). This was the national standard for silver in Germany following the 1888 unification of marking laws.
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish on the reverse; the primary side likely features Neoclassical or Rococo Revival elements typical of the Berlin court style.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Includes the 'Crescent Moon and Crown' (Reichsmark) signifying the German Empire, the '800' fineness mark, and the retailer/maker stamp 'FRIEDLAENDER'. A small separate workshop mark is also visible.
Construction Details
Likely hand-raised or heavy gauge spun silver with applied borders; high-quality industrial craftsmanship typical of late 19th-century German workshops.
Functional Features
Flat base or rim section of a functional serving vessel designed for formal dining service.
Handle & Grip Details
Not visible; likely integrated into the rim if a tray, or ornate cast handles if a tureen.
Craftsmanship Details
Excellent gauge of silver; the clarity of the stamp even under centuries of scratches indicates a heavy, well-struck piece from a master workshop.
Authentication Indicators
The hallmarks are strike-aligned and consistent with authentic 19th-century German tools. The 'FRIEDLAENDER' font matches known samples from the Berlin workshop.
Origin & Manufacturing
Berlin, Germany; manufactured during the height of German industrial silver production under Imperial patronage.
Era & Period
Wilhelminian Period (German Empire), late 19th to early 20th century. High luxury German design reflecting Imperial tastes.
Age Estimate
Circa 1890-1915. The '800' mark and Friedländer stamp together indicate production after the 1888 marking act and before the decline of the workshop in the mid-20th century.
Cultural Significance
Represents the height of German bourgeois and aristocratic dining culture prior to WWI; reflects the strict purity laws enacted to standardize German silver trade.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. The surface shows heavy 'spider-web' scratching and scuffing from improper cleaning. One notable tarnish spot/chemical stain is visible. Overall structural integrity appears solid.
Value Estimate
$300 - $1,200 USD depending on the form, weight, and decoration of the front side. Pieces with Imperial crests or large serving forms go higher.
Care & Maintenance
Requires professional hand-polishing with a high-quality non-abrasive cream (like Wright's) to reduce surface scratches. Avoid 'silver dips' which can strip the metal's patina.
Similar Pieces
Wilkens & Söhne 800 silver, Bruckmann & Söhne, or Koch & Bergfeld. Friedländer pieces generally command a premium due to their royal appointment status.
Interesting Facts
Friedländer was so prestigious they were nicknamed the 'Tiffany of Berlin'. They were responsible for creating many of the Kaiser’s official gifts and state silver service pieces.