Antiko Hildesheimer Rose 800 Silver Demitasse Spoon Set
Flatware - Demitasse/Mocha Spoons · Antiko (Kohlbecher & Co.), a major German silversmith based in Pforzheim, founded in the early 20th century, renowned for traditional European patterns.
Pattern: Hildesheimer Rose (Hildesheim Rose), a legendary German pattern inspired by the 1,000-year-old rose bush at Hildesheim Cathedral; it is one of the most prolific and collected patterns in German silver history.
Type
Flatware - Demitasse/Mocha Spoons
Maker
Antiko (Kohlbecher & Co.), a major German silversmith based in Pforzheim, founded in the early 20th century, renowned for traditional European patterns.
Material
800 Silver (80% pure silver, 20% copper alloy), which is the standard Continental silver purity for Germany since 1888. The bowls feature a light vermeil (gold wash) finish.
Dimensions
Standard demitasse size, approximately 10-11 cm (4-4.5 inches) in length. Total set weight is likely around 60-70 grams of 800 silver.
Description
An elegant set of six German 800 silver mocha spoons featuring the iconic ‘Hildesheimer Rose’ motif. Each spoon showcases a meticulously detailed rose bud finial atop a naturalistic branch handle, finished with an elegant gold-washed bowl to prevent tarnishing from coffee acidity.
Key Features
Sculptural rose finial, 800 silver purity mark, gold-washed bowls (vermeil), and the signature thorned-branch handle design unique to the Hildesheim region tradition.
Material & Composition
800 Silver (80% pure silver, 20% copper alloy), which is the standard Continental silver purity for Germany since 1888. The bowls feature a light vermeil (gold wash) finish.
Finish & Decoration
Features an oxidized/antiqued finish to highlight the deep floral relief. The handle is a sculptural representation of a rose branch with leaves, terminating in a fully bloomed rose finial. The style is German Romantic/Neo-Rococo.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Typically stamped '800' for purity and 'ANTIKO' or a maker's mark consisting of a 'W' or pine tree symbol on the back of the neck/bowl. Many sets from this era lack the Reichskrone (imperial crown) and crescent moon, using just '800'.
Construction Details
Die-struck and cast construction. The intricate floral handle is often cast to provide high-relief detail, then soldered to the drop of the spoon bowl.
Functional Features
Small, shallow bowls designed specifically for strong espresso or mocha coffee served in demitasse cups. The twist-style handle provides a sturdy grip for small utensils.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid silver sculptural handle formed as a rose stem with thorns and leaves. Integrated design where the decoration serves as the structural handle.
Craftsmanship Details
Displays high-quality industrial casting with hand-finished oxidation. The symmetry across the six pieces indicates precision die-manufacturing common in Pforzheim workshops.
Authentication Indicators
The '800' mark is the primary indicator. The specific casting of the rose and leaf nodes matches the Antiko workshop's known 20th-century molds.
Origin & Manufacturing
Pforzheim, Germany; known as the 'Goldstadt' (Golden City) for its historic jewelry and silver manufacturing industry.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (Post-WWII). While the pattern originated in the 18th century and was popularized in the 1920s, this specific boxed presentation is characteristic of the 1950s-1970s.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1970. The plastic sleeve packaging and box insert are diagnostic of mid-century mass-market luxury production.
Cultural Significance
A staple of German 'Kaffee und Kuchen' (coffee and cake) culture, representing post-war prosperity and the continuation of romantic bourgeois traditions in German households.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Heavy tarnish (sulfide deposits) present on handles and necks. The gold wash in the bowls shows 'bloom' or spotting but remains largely intact. Structurally sound but requires expert cleaning.
Value Estimate
$80 - $150 USD for a set of six in its original box, depending on the current spot price of silver and regional demand.
Care & Maintenance
Gently clean with a soft toothbrush and Wright's Silver Cream. Do not over-polish the handles as the oxidation is intentional to show depth; avoid abrasive cleaners on the gold-washed bowls.
Similar Pieces
Wmf (Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik) versions in silverplate, or Wilkens 'Hildesheim' patterns which often feature slightly different leaf structures.
Interesting Facts
The pattern is based on the 'Thousand-Year Rose' of Hildesheim, which survived the 1945 Allied bombing of the cathedral, blooming just weeks after the city was destroyed.