Victorian Style Silver Plate Repoussé Frog / Flower Grille for Rose Bowl
Hollowware (Flower Decor/Rose Bowl Grille) · Likely American or British trade manufacturer from the late 19th/early 20th century; potential makers include Gorham, Wallace, or Elkington (though often unmarked when sold as components).
Pattern: Scroll and Foliat Floral Repoussé; generic Victorian or Rococo Revival style.
Type
Hollowware (Flower Decor/Rose Bowl Grille)
Maker
Likely American or British trade manufacturer from the late 19th/early 20th century; potential makers include Gorham, Wallace, or Elkington (though often unmarked when sold as components).
Material
Silver Plate on Copper or White Metal; noticeable copper-toned tarnish suggests a silver-plated copper base (Electroplated Copper/EPC).
Dimensions
Estimated 4-6 inches in diameter; approximately 100-200 grams. This is a standard size for a medium rose bowl.
Description
An ornate silver-plated flower frog or rose bowl insert. The piece features a domed center surrounded by a scalloped, heavily decorated border. The intricate scrollwork is punctuated by four circular pierced medallions that are both decorative and functional for stem placement.
Key Features
Scalloped rim, intricate 'sky-hook' scroll chasing, and the distinct circular pierced medallions with geometric interiors.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate on Copper or White Metal; noticeable copper-toned tarnish suggests a silver-plated copper base (Electroplated Copper/EPC).
Finish & Decoration
High-relief repoussé with chased scrollwork and foliate motifs; features pierced openwork circular medallions with a central 'swastika' or solar cross motif (a common ancient decorative symbol prior to WWII).
Hallmarks & Stamps
No marks are visible in the top profile; hallmarks on such inserts are typically located on the underside rim or edge, often consisting of 'EPNS' or 'Silver on Copper'.
Construction Details
Die-struck or stamped from a flat sheet of copper, then electroplated with silver. The central holes and decorative latticework are mechanically pierced.
Functional Features
Perforated top (grille) designed to support flower stems in a water-filled bowl; domed shape allows for rounded floral arrangements.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A; this is a friction-fit or resting lid meant to sit atop a bowl rim.
Craftsmanship Details
Highly detailed die-stamping that mimics the look of high-end hand-chased silver. The symmetry of the repeat pattern confirms machine-assisted manufacturing.
Authentication Indicators
The color of the oxidation (yellowish-brown) is a primary indicator of silver plate on copper. The crispness of the stamping suggests industrial die-use rather than hand-chasing.
Origin & Manufacturing
Most likely USA (Providence/Connecticut) or UK (Sheffield/Birmingham), where large-scale silver plate production flourished.
Era & Period
Late Victorian to Edwardian (c. 1890-1915); characterized by heavy Rococo Revival ornamentation and the popularity of the Rose Bowl.
Age Estimate
Circa 1900-1920 based on the decorative scrolls and the specific style of the pierced fretwork.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the formal Victorian etiquette of flower arranging, where specialized vessels were required for 'casual' garden roses to look structured on a dining table.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Significant tarnish with 'bleeding' (copper color showing through silver plate), minor surface scratches, and dirt buildup in the deep crevices of the chasing.
Value Estimate
$20 - $45 USD as a standalone replacement piece; value increases significantly if paired with the original matching bowl.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver foam (like Wright's) using a very soft brush to reach crevices. Avoid abrasive polishes that will further strip the silver plating to the copper base.
Similar Pieces
Tiffany & Co. sterling rose bowls (which would be heavier and marked '925'); common glass flower frogs (cheaper, non-decorative).
Interesting Facts
The 'solar cross' motif in the piercings was a very popular good-luck symbol in Western design before its 20th-century political appropriation, making it a common find in Edwardian-era metalwork.