Robbe & Berking Modell Rose 100 Silver Plate Flatware
Flatware (Likely Dinner Fork or Spoon based on handle profile) · Robbe & Berking (R&B). Founded in 1874 in Flensburg, Germany, R&B is one of the world's most prestigious silversmiths, known for ultra-high-quality luxury flatware and supplying European royal courts.
Pattern: Modell Rose (Rose Pattern), introduced mid-20th century. This is one of their most celebrated floral designs, still highly regarded for its detailed naturalistic execution.
Type
Flatware (Likely Dinner Fork or Spoon based on handle profile)
Maker
Robbe & Berking (R&B). Founded in 1874 in Flensburg, Germany, R&B is one of the world's most prestigious silversmiths, known for ultra-high-quality luxury flatware and supplying European royal courts.
Material
100-grade Silver Plate. In the German plating standard, the number 100 signifies that 100 grams of pure silver were used to plate a set of 24 pieces. The base metal is Alpacca (Nickel Silver).
Dimensions
Standard dinner proportions; width of handle approximately 1.5 cm. Weight is substantial for plate due to the heavy silver layer, typically 50-80g depending on the specific piece type.
Description
An elegant example of German luxury flatware, this piece from Robbe & Berking's Modell Rose collection features a delicate, romantic rose vine trailing down the handle. The '100' plating ensures a thick, lustrous silver surface that mimics the feel and appearance of solid sterling.
Key Features
Vertical script 'Modell Rose' logo; '100' silver grade marking; R&B crossed-keys logo; deep-relief organic floral detailing.
Material & Composition
100-grade Silver Plate. In the German plating standard, the number 100 signifies that 100 grams of pure silver were used to plate a set of 24 pieces. The base metal is Alpacca (Nickel Silver).
Finish & Decoration
Polished finish with a naturalistic, relief-style rose motif. The decoration features organic scrollwork and floral blossoms typical of the German 'Classic Rose' aesthetic.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Incised vertical rectangular cartouche containing: R&B logo (crossed keys), 'Modell Rose' in script, and the '100' silver thickness mark. This is a standard manufacturer's mark for plated items.
Construction Details
Precision die-struck from a heavy-gauge nickel silver base. Robbe & Berking uses high-pressure stamping to achieve deep, crisp relief details before the electroplating finish is applied.
Functional Features
Tapered handle for ergonomic grip; the heavy '100' plating provides significant durability compared to standard '90' grade silver plate common in Germany.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid core construction with a flared, spatulate handle end featuring the Rose pattern in relief. The finish is smooth with rounded edges for comfort.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality die-work. Unlike cheaper plated items where the stamp is shallow, the R&B 'Modell Rose' exhibits deep, three-dimensional relief typically found in sterling silver.
Authentication Indicators
The stamp is crisp and professionally executed within a defined cartouche, which is consistent with genuine Robbe & Berking industrial standards. The wear pattern shows no base metal bleed-through yet, confirming high-quality plating.
Origin & Manufacturing
Flensburg, Germany. Manufactured in the Robbe & Berking manufactory, which emphasizes 'handmade' precision despite using industrial presses for the core shapes.
Era & Period
Modern/Post-War German Design. While the 'Rose' motif is timeless, this specific stamp format and production style align with mid-to-late 20th-century German silver manufacturing.
Age Estimate
Circa 1960-1990. The crispness of the stamp and the specific '100' designation suggest production during the peak of 20th-century German silver plate export.
Cultural Significance
Represents the German tradition of 'Biedermeier' floral influence in modern luxury goods. R&B is a brand synonymous with European diplomatic circles and high-end yacht interiors.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible heavy surface scratching and micro-pitting consistent with frequent use and abrasive cleaning. Significant tarnish/oxidation present in the recesses of the pattern and stamp.
Value Estimate
$15 - $35 USD per individual piece depending on the specific form (serving pieces command higher prices).
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver foam (like Wright’s) and a soft horsehair brush to reach the crevices of the rose pattern. Avoid dishwasher use to prevent plating 'bluing' or stripping.
Similar Pieces
Wilkens Rose pattern, WMF Rose series. R&B is distinguished by a higher weight and more distinct, life-like floral carvings compared to WMF's more stylized versions.
Interesting Facts
Robbe & Berking '150' and '100' silver plate are considered among the finest in the world, often outlasting cheaper sterling alloys in durability tests due to the hardness of the base metal.