Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Enamel Nude Dish by David-Andersen
Decorative Object (Small Bowl/Trinket Dish) · David-Andersen of Oslo, Norway. Founded in 1876, this workshop is world-renowned for mastery in vitreous enameling, particularly Guilloché and champlevé techniques.
Pattern: Modernist Nude Series by Bjørn Sigurd Østern or similar designer, c. 1950s-1960s. Part of the firm's transition into abstract and figurative Mid-Century design.
Type
Decorative Object (Small Bowl/Trinket Dish)
Maker
David-Andersen of Oslo, Norway. Founded in 1876, this workshop is world-renowned for mastery in vitreous enameling, particularly Guilloché and champlevé techniques.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925) with vitreous enamel overlay. The silver serves as the base plate and the material for the cloisonné-style wire detail.
Dimensions
Diameter approximately 4 to 5 inches (10-13 cm). Estimated weight: 80-120 grams including enamel layer. This is a small personal vanity or nut dish size.
Description
An exquisite example of Norwegian silver-smithing, this dish features a striking black enamel ground that serves as a canvas for a silver-lined female nude. The pose is reclining and abstract, rendered with a single continuous-line aesthetic. The outer rim provides a dramatic contrast with its 'space-age' variegated finish of burnt orange and ivory tones, showcasing the maker's technical skill in controlling enamel flow during kiln-firing.
Key Features
Linear silver figure inlay, contrasting variegated 'sunburst' rim, high-gloss obsidian-black interior, and the prestigious David-Andersen provenance.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925) with vitreous enamel overlay. The silver serves as the base plate and the material for the cloisonné-style wire detail.
Finish & Decoration
Combination of bowl-turned silver with a high-gloss black enamel interior. Features an abstract line-work 'nude' figure in silver against the dark field. The rim shows a transitional sunburst or 'earth-tone' variegated enameling in copper, white, and black hues.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Typically found on the underside: 'D-A' (maker's mark), '925 S' (Sterling purity), 'Norway Sterling', and often a scales mark representing Oslo's assay.
Construction Details
Spun or die-struck silver base tray with hand-applied enamel and wire-work. The figure is likely rendered using a champlevé or cloisonné variant where silver lines are exposed or applied before the final firing.
Functional Features
Low-profile concave dish designed for decorative display or as a 'vide-poche' (pocket emptier/trinket tray). The enamel provides a hard, glass-like protective surface.
Handle & Grip Details
None; the piece is a rimmed bowl with a smooth, solid silver underside for tabletop stability.
Craftsmanship Details
Expert firing technique is evident in the lack of bubbles in the enamel and the crispness of the silver line detail. The variegated rim requires precise heat control to achieve the feathered color blend without muddying the pigments.
Authentication Indicators
The hallmark '925 S' alongside the specific D-A scales logo is the primary identifier. The weight and cold feel of the enamel over silver are distinct from plastic or resin reproductions.
Origin & Manufacturing
Oslo, Norway. Manufactured at the David-Andersen workshop, which combined industrial efficiency with high-end artisanship through the 20th century.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (c. 1950-1965). The minimalist, gestural linework of the nude is highly characteristic of the Scandinavian Modern movement's focus on organic forms and simplified figuration.
Age Estimate
Circa 1955-1960. The style of the figure and the specific color palette of the rim are consistent with the Norwegian 'Silver Age' of design post-WWII.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of art where high-quality silver and enamel work was brought into the home through functional, everyday objects that reflected the avant-garde sensibilities of the time.
Condition Notes
Very Good to Excellent. Surface shows minor micro-scratches consistent with age. Enamel appears intact without visible chips, 'fleabites', or spider-web cracking (crazing), which is vital for value. Tarnish is visible on the silver rim edges.
Value Estimate
$250 - $450 USD. Values fluctuate based on the specific designer of the graphic—pieces signed by Bjørn Sigurd Østern or featuring more complex nudes typically command the higher end of the range.
Care & Maintenance
Clean only with a soft damp cloth. Avoid silver 'dips' which can damage enamel. If polishing the exposed silver rim, use a professional silver cream and avoid the enamel surface. Do not drop on hard surfaces, as the glass enamel can shatter.
Similar Pieces
Comparable items include the enamel work of Tostrup (Norway) or the 'Enamel on Copper' pieces by US artists like Jade Snow Wong, though the silver base of this item places it in a higher luxury tier.
Interesting Facts
David-Andersen is so respected that their pieces are held in the permanent collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Kunstindustrimuseet in Oslo.