Peruvian Hammered Sterling Silver Oval Dish
Hollowware (Nut Dish / Trinket Tray) · Unknown Peruvian Silversmith; Peru is renowned for its high-purity silver production, often handcrafted in smaller workshops located in Lima or regional centers.
Pattern: Modernist Hammered Style; characterized by a planished finish rather than a specific floral or historicist pattern name.
Type
Hollowware (Nut Dish / Trinket Tray)
Maker
Unknown Peruvian Silversmith; Peru is renowned for its high-purity silver production, often handcrafted in smaller workshops located in Lima or regional centers.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity), evidenced by the numerical stamp. Peruvian silver is frequently known for exceeding international standards, often appearing in .925 or .950 grades.
Dimensions
Estimated 6 to 8 inches in length; approximately 120-180 grams. It appears to be an individual serving or console-sized tray.
Description
This Peruvian sterling silver dish showcases the rustic elegance of South American silversmithing. Featuring a beautiful planished surface that refracts light through a series of hand-hammered facets, the dish possesses an organic, oval form. Its simplicity allows the high-grade silver to speak for itself, making it a versatile piece for serving or decor.
Key Features
Hand-hammered 'planished' texture; distinct 'PERU 925' stamp; organic, irregular oval perimeter indicating hand-craftsmanship.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity), evidenced by the numerical stamp. Peruvian silver is frequently known for exceeding international standards, often appearing in .925 or .950 grades.
Finish & Decoration
Hammered (planished) finish; the interior/exterior displays the subtle dimples from the silversmith's hammer. Minimalist, scalloped/organic rim, lacking ornate engraving to emphasize the metal's texture.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'PERU' and '925'. These are standard export/purity marks for 20th-century Peruvian silver; lack of a specific maker's mark (pentagon or initials) suggests a smaller artisan workshop.
Construction Details
Hand-raised and planished from a solid sheet of sterling silver. The unevenness of the rim and the visible hammer marks indicate an artisan-made process rather than high-volume machine stamping.
Functional Features
Slightly recessed center for holding objects; flared rim for easy gripping. Simple, durable design with no mechanical moving parts.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A; this is a rimmed dish without attached handles. The flared edge serves as a tactile gripping surface.
Craftsmanship Details
Evident hand-work; the planishing is consistent but displays the minor variations of a human hand. The rim is hand-finished rather than die-rolled.
Authentication Indicators
The 'PERU 925' stamp is consistent in depth and style with authentic vintage Peruvian exports. The metal wear pattern shows natural softening of edges typical of genuine sterling.
Origin & Manufacturing
Peru; manufactured in a traditional artisan workshop settings utilizing centuries-old silver-working techniques introduced during the colonial era and modernized in the mid-century.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (c. 1950-1980); consistent with the wave of South American silver exported to the global market during the post-war period.
Age Estimate
Circa 1960-1975, based on the font of the '925' and 'PERU' stamps and the rustic-modernist style popular in that era.
Cultural Significance
Represents the fusion of indigenous Peruvian craftsmanship with mid-century modern aesthetic preferences for texture over ornament.
Condition Notes
Very Good; exhibits surface scratches consistent with use and age. There are moderate tarnish deposits near the center and rim. No major dents or thinning visible from the reverse.
Value Estimate
$150 - $250 USD, primarily determined by its silver weight (melt value) plus a 20-30% premium for handcrafted vintage artisan appeal.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream (e.g., Wright's) using a soft cloth to avoid scratching. The hammered texture can trap polish, so a soft-bristled toothbrush facilitates cleaning the recesses.
Similar Pieces
Camusso (Peru) signed pieces (usually more expensive), Mexican modernist dishes by Tane or Castillo (similar weight but different marking systems).
Interesting Facts
Peru was once the largest producer of silver in the world; throughout the 20th century, tourists often brought these hammered pieces back as 'Grand Tour' style souvenirs of South America.