German Rococo Revival Silver Plate Dinner Knife, likely WMF or Hanau-style
Flatware (Dinner Knife) · Unidentified German or Central European manufacturer (possibly WMF or Gayer & Krauss). The '100' stamp is a standard German silver plate indicator signifying 100 grams of pure silver used to plate 24 pieces of flatware.
Pattern: Rococo Revival Pattern (Neorokoko), featuring stylized acanthus scrolls and feather-like foliage, introduced late 19th/early 20th century.
Type
Flatware (Dinner Knife)
Maker
Unidentified German or Central European manufacturer (possibly WMF or Gayer & Krauss). The '100' stamp is a standard German silver plate indicator signifying 100 grams of pure silver used to plate 24 pieces of flatware.
Material
Silver Plated (Bout-de-argent / Versilbert). The handle is silver-plated base metal (likely Alpacca or Nickel Silver); the blade is likely carbon steel or stainless steel.
Dimensions
Standard dinner knife length (approx 22-25cm). Weight estimated at 80-100 grams due to weighted hollow handle and steel blade.
Description
An elegant example of German silver-plated flatware from the early 20th century. The piece features a robust Rococo Revival handle with deep relief scrolls that embody the ornate tastes of the pre-war European middle class. The '100' mark indicates a high-quality plating thickness intended for daily use.
Key Features
The '100' numerical stamp on the bolster and the specific scrolled acanthus leaf motif typical of German 'Neorokoko' flatware patterns.
Material & Composition
Silver Plated (Bout-de-argent / Versilbert). The handle is silver-plated base metal (likely Alpacca or Nickel Silver); the blade is likely carbon steel or stainless steel.
Finish & Decoration
Oxidized and bright-cut finish. Features Rococo-style scrolling foliage, volutes, and C-scrolls with heavy relief embossing in the Neo-Baroque/Rococo tradition.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped '100' on the bolster/ferrule. This is the German decimal marking for heavy silver plating (100g silver per 24 pieces). Missing a clear maker mark, which might be on the other side or further down the handle.
Construction Details
Hollow handle construction (Hohlheft). The handle is die-struck in two halves and soldered, then attached to the blade tang with resin or plaster filling. The ferrule acts as the junction point.
Functional Features
Straight-back blade with rounded tip; handle features high-relief textured decoration to provide better grip and hide surface scratches.
Handle & Grip Details
Die-struck hollow metal handle with heavy scrollwork. The bolster shows some wear and tarnish where it joins the blade shroud.
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-pressed (die-struck) handle ornamentation with reasonable depth and detail. The solder line at the bolster is flush, reflecting standard industrial precision of the German flatware industry.
Authentication Indicators
The '100' stamp is the primary diagnostic for German silver plate. Construction method (hollow handle/steel blade) is standard for this era and maker type. No sterling marks are present.
Origin & Manufacturing
Germany. The '100' mark is specific to the German plating standard established in the late 19th century.
Era & Period
Rococo Revival / Historicism (Historismus), popular between 1900-1930 in Germany and Austria.
Age Estimate
Circa 1900–1930. Based on the stamping style and the specific rendering of the Rococo foliage.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury in the late 19th century, where industrial plating allowed the middle class to own formal dining sets that mimicked the solid silver of the aristocracy.
Condition Notes
Good condition. Shows moderate surface tarnish (sulfide deposits) consistent with age. Visible scratches on the blade suggest heavy use and abrasive cleaning in the past. Plating appears largely intact but thin at high points of the relief.
Value Estimate
$10 - $25 USD. Silver-plated individual knives hold modest value unless part of a large complete set or from a highly sought-after brand like WMF.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream (Wright's or Hagerty). Do not soak in water as it can enter the hollow handle and loosen the cement holding the blade. Hand wash only.
Similar Pieces
WMF 'Model 900', Wilkens 'Echt Silber' versions, or American patterns like Gorham 'Chantilly' (though Gorham is usually Sterling).
Interesting Facts
The German system of '90', '100', and '120' marks was a regulated way to inform consumers exactly how much silver went into the plating process, ensuring a standard of quality.