Arts and Crafts Style Hammered Sterling Silver Scalloped Bowl
Hollowware (Bowl/Fruit Dish) · Unknown American or Continental Workshop (Likely Arts & Crafts Movement style, such as Kalo Shop or Shreve & Co.)
Pattern: Hand-Hammered Swirl Scalloped Design
Type
Hollowware (Bowl/Fruit Dish)
Maker
Unknown American or Continental Workshop (Likely Arts & Crafts Movement style, such as Kalo Shop or Shreve & Co.)
Material
Sterling Silver (.925) or high-grade Nickel Silver/Silver Plate (EPNS). Visual evidence suggests a base metal construction based on tarnish patterns and surface reflection.
Dimensions
Estimated 8-10 inches in diameter, 2-3 inches in height; estimated weight 300-500 grams if sterling.
Description
A striking circular silver bowl featuring a heavily planished (hammered) finish that creates a shimmering, multi-faceted surface. The sides are worked into deep, rhythmic swirled lobes that terminate in a sharp scalloped rim, typical of the honest-labor aesthetic of the Arts & Crafts movement.
Key Features
Distinctive swirled gadrooned sides, uniform planishing marks, and high-relief scalloped edge.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925) or high-grade Nickel Silver/Silver Plate (EPNS). Visual evidence suggests a base metal construction based on tarnish patterns and surface reflection.
Finish & Decoration
Hand-hammered planished surface with repoussé-style swirled gadrooning and a scalloped rim; Arts & Crafts/Hand-wrought style.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Not visible in image; typically located on the underside center. Expected marks: 'STERLING' or 'EPNS' with a maker's mark.
Construction Details
Raised and planished by hand; the swirled ridges are shaped by hammering over a stake from the reverse.
Functional Features
Open circular form for serving fruit, bread, or decorative centerpiece display.
Handle & Grip Details
None; edge-to-edge scalloped rim design.
Craftsmanship Details
Displays intentional tool marks as a decorative feature; deep relief work indicates skilled manipulation of the metal sheet.
Authentication Indicators
Uniformity of hammer marks suggests possible machine-assisted planishing; tarnish color suggests silver plate over copper or brass if it appears brassy under the tarnish.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely United States or England; artisan workshop production focusing on visible tool marks.
Era & Period
Arts and Crafts Movement (circa 1880-1920) or Mid-Century Revival/Reproduction.
Age Estimate
Circa 1910-1940 based on the decorative swirl motif and planishing technique.
Cultural Significance
Represents the rejection of Victorian industrialism in favor of visible hand-craftsmanship and organic motifs.
Condition Notes
Good condition; visible yellow/brown tarnish in the crevices (sulfide deposits). Minor surface scratches consistent with use. No visible major dents.
Value Estimate
$150-$250 (if silver plate); $600-$1,200 (if sterling silver, maker-dependent).
Care & Maintenance
Clean with mild soap and water; use a non-abrasive silver cream like Wright's. Avoid over-polishing which can flatten the peaks of the hammer marks.
Similar Pieces
Georg Jensen 'Cactus' hollowware (more refined), Kalo Shop hammered bowls (thicker gauge), or Sheffield plated reproductions.
Interesting Facts
The 'hammered' look was popularized by John Ruskin and William Morris to represent the soul of the craftsman against industrial machine-made goods.