Birmingham Sterling Silver Pierced Pedestal Tazza by Barker Brothers Silver Ltd., 1938-1939
Hollowware (Tazza / Pedestal Dish / Compote) · Barker Brothers Silver Ltd. (formerly Barker Brothers), founded in 1801. Known as a premier Birmingham-based firm specializing in high-quality hollowware, especially George III style reproductions.
Pattern: George III Style Pierced Neoclassical. This is a classic pattern featuring a combination of gadroon borders, vertical piercing, and radial fluting, recurring in Barker Brothers' catalog throughout the early 20th century.
Type
Hollowware (Tazza / Pedestal Dish / Compote)
Maker
Barker Brothers Silver Ltd. (formerly Barker Brothers), founded in 1801. Known as a premier Birmingham-based firm specializing in high-quality hollowware, especially George III style reproductions.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Not weighted; solid construction through both the bowl and the flaring pedestal base.
Dimensions
Diameter: approximately 8-10 inches (20-25 cm); Height: approximately 4-5 inches (10-12 cm). Estimated weight: 350-500 grams (11.25-16 troy ounces) based on standard gauge for this tazza size.
Description
This elegant sterling silver tazza exhibits the refined proportions of the Barker Brothers workshop. It features a broad, shallow basin defined by a crisp gadroon rim and a delicate band of vertical geometric piercings. The central well is exquisitely decorated with radiating flutes that draw the eye toward a central monogram-ready cartouche. Elevated by a sturdy, trumpeting pedestal foot, this piece combines structural stability with airy, decorative lightness, typical of high-end English silver from the late 1930s.
Key Features
Distinctive 'B.B.S.Ld' hallmark; crisp, clean-cut reticulation; radial sunburst fluting in the bowl; classic gadrooned edge; unweighted, solid silver base.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Not weighted; solid construction through both the bowl and the flaring pedestal base.
Finish & Decoration
Bright mirror polish finish. Features a gadrooned rim, a border of openwork vertical piercing (reticulation), and a central well with radial fluting leading to a central circular cartouche. The style is George III Neoclassical revival.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The underside of the base shows full Birmingham Hallmarks: Anchor (Birmingham), Lion Passant (British Sterling .925), Date Letter 'O' (for 1938-1939), and Maker's Mark 'B.B.S.Ld' in a rectangle for Barker Brothers Silver Ltd.
Construction Details
Raised and spun bowl with machine-pierced decorative gallery. The pedestal base is seamed and soldered to the bowl. The gadroon edge is likely an applied wire or die-struck reinforcement for structural integrity.
Functional Features
Wide, shallow basin designed for serving miniature cakes, fruit, or sweets. The pedestal base provides elevation for a table centerpiece. The perforated border allows for airflow when serving warm baked goods.
Handle & Grip Details
No handles. The central flaring pedestal serves as the structural grip, featuring a stepped 'steaking' at the foot for stability and handling.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial craftsmanship. The symmetry of the fluting and the regularity of the piercings indicate the use of precision dies and spinning lathes, finished by hand-polishing and hand-soldering.
Authentication Indicators
The hallmarks are deep and clearly struck, showing no evidence of casting. The 'Lion Passant' and 'Anchor' symbols match the 1938-1939 standards perfectly. The weight/gauge is consistent with Barker Brothers' reputation for substantial, non-weighted hollowware.
Origin & Manufacturing
Birmingham, England. Produced in the historic Jewellery Quarter where Barker Brothers maintained a significant factory and workshop presence.
Era & Period
Late Interwar / Early Modern (George VI period). Designed in the Neoclassical Revival style which remained popular in Britain through the 1930s for formal dining services.
Age Estimate
Dated 1938-1939 based on the specific 'O' date letter for the Birmingham Assay Office.
Cultural Significance
Represents the height of British formal dining traditions just before the onset of WWII, where silver centerpieces served as symbols of domestic stability and upper-middle-class social standing.
Condition Notes
Very Good to Excellent. The surface displays minor handling scratches consistent with light use. The piercing is intact without broken bars. No evidence of significant denting or repair to the base union. Tarnish is minimal.
Value Estimate
$400 - $750. Price varies based on the current silver spot price and the presence of any notable family monograms in the central cartouche.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft-bristled brush in the pierced areas to prevent tarnish buildup. Use a high-quality cream like Wright's or Hagerty's and a microfiber cloth. Store in a Pacific Silvercloth bag.
Similar Pieces
Mappin & Webb pierced compotes (often more ornate); Elkington & Co. tazzas (often heavier with floral motifs); Gorham 'Plymouth' pattern (American alternative, typically lack the piercing).
Interesting Facts
Barker Brothers was one of the few large-scale Birmingham firms that transitions successfully through the Victorian era into the Modern age by strictly maintaining high sterling standards for their hollowware output.