Silver-Plated Art Nouveau Repoussé Centerpiece Bowl with Cut Glass Liner
Hollowware (Centerpiece Bowl / Jardiniere) · Likely European or American manufacturer (e.g., Reed & Barton, Gorham, or WMF), mass-produced for the middle-market retail trade. The specific maker cannot be confirmed without a base photo.
Pattern: Generic Art Nouveau Floral and Scroll pattern; common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Type
Hollowware (Centerpiece Bowl / Jardiniere)
Maker
Likely European or American manufacturer (e.g., Reed & Barton, Gorham, or WMF), mass-produced for the middle-market retail trade. The specific maker cannot be confirmed without a base photo.
Material
Silver Plate (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver) over a base metal of copper or nickel brass. Includes a heavy colorless cut glass liner with starburst base.
Dimensions
Estimated 10-12 inches in diameter excluding handles; weight is primarily held in the glass liner. Approx. 1200-1500 grams including glass.
Description
This elegant Art Nouveau centerpiece consists of a silver-plated frame featuring a lush band of repoussé flowers and scrolling vines. The piece is flanked by two stylized foliate handles and contains its original glass liner with a deep-cut starburst base. It represents the transition from Victorian excess to the more fluid, nature-inspired designs of the early 20th century.
Key Features
Deeply embossed floral gallery, original starburst cut glass liner, and distinctive scrolled handles.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver) over a base metal of copper or nickel brass. Includes a heavy colorless cut glass liner with starburst base.
Finish & Decoration
Satin and mirror polish with high-relief repoussé floral blossoms and C-scrolls. The interior shows significant tarnish/sulfide deposits. Art Nouveau style.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Likely stamped on the underside of the silver frame with 'EPNS' or a manufacturer hallmark. Purity marks like '925' are likely absent due to the visible wear patterns and oxidation color.
Construction Details
Stamped/die-struck gallery with cast handles soldered to the rim. The silver rim is rolled. Machine-pressed glass liner.
Functional Features
Twin handles for transport; removable glass liner to protect the silver plate from acidic foods or damp flower foam.
Handle & Grip Details
Cast white metal handles with foliate leaf motifs, soldered at two points to the main body. High-arched decorative design.
Craftsmanship Details
Commercial grade craftsmanship; the repoussé is sharp but machine-assisted. The soldering is clean but indicative of mass production.
Authentication Indicators
Wear patterns consistent with electroplate rather than solid silver; solder joins are visible at handle attachment; glass weight is correct for the period.
Origin & Manufacturing
Europe (likely Germany / France) or USA. Manufactured using industrial electroplating techniques of the late 19th century.
Era & Period
Art Nouveau (Late Victorian to Edwardian Period, 1890-1910). Charactersized by flowing organic lines and floral motifs.
Age Estimate
Circa 1900-1915 based on the floral repoussé style and handle form.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the democratization of luxury in the late 19th century, where silver-plating allowed middle-class households to own elaborate 'silver' table service items.
Condition Notes
Overall Good condition. The silver plate shows significant tarnish and possible 'bleeding' (base metal showing through) on the interior. Glass liner appears intact without major chips.
Value Estimate
$100 - $250 USD depending on the clarity of the maker's mark and the absence of chips in the glass.
Care & Maintenance
Clean glass liner with warm soapy water. Polish silver frame gently with Wright's Silver Cream; avoid abrasive dips which can strip the thin silver plating.
Similar Pieces
WMF Art Nouveau jardiniere (typically more ornate/pewter-based), Gorham silver-plated bowls, or Victorian 'Bride's Bowls'.
Interesting Facts
Such bowls were often used as 'jardinieres' for floating flowers or as fruit bowls during formal dinner services of the Belle Époque.