Antiko 800 Silver Hildesheimer Rose Coffee or Demitasse Spoons (Set of 6)
Flatware - Demitasse/Coffee Spoons · Antiko (Kohlbecher & Co.), a major German manufacturer from Pforzheim, Germany, active in the 20th century. Established in 1920, the brand is highly regarded for its traditional floral designs and widespread production of high-quality giftware.
Pattern: Hildesheimer Rose, a classic German souvenir and giftware pattern introduced in the early 20th century. It remains one of Germany's most iconic and widely produced silver patterns.
Type
Flatware - Demitasse/Coffee Spoons
Maker
Antiko (Kohlbecher & Co.), a major German manufacturer from Pforzheim, Germany, active in the 20th century. Established in 1920, the brand is highly regarded for its traditional floral designs and widespread production of high-quality giftware.
Material
800 Silver (80% pure silver, 20% copper). This is the standard German silver fineness. The bowls appear to have a Vermeil (gold-washed) finish over the silver.
Dimensions
Standard demitasse size, approximately 4 inches (10-11 cm) in length. Total weight for a set of six is typically between 60 to 75 grams.
Description
A charming cased set of six German 800 silver spoons in the world-famous Hildesheimer Rose pattern. Each spoon features a sculptural stem resembling a rose branch, with a delicate bloom at the top. The gold-washed bowls provide a luxurious contrast to the oxidized silver stems, designed to prevent coffee from corroding the silver surfaces.
Key Features
The distinctive rose blossom terminal and the 'twisted' organic stem. The use of 800 silver and the gold-washed bowl are diagnostic of German manufacture.
Material & Composition
800 Silver (80% pure silver, 20% copper). This is the standard German silver fineness. The bowls appear to have a Vermeil (gold-washed) finish over the silver.
Finish & Decoration
Matte and oxidized finish to highlight the rose texture. The decoration features a highly detailed, cast, openwork stem mimicking a rose branch with leaves, culminating in a blooming rose blossom at the terminal. The style is German Romanticism/Art Nouveau revival.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Usually stamped on the reverse of the handles with '800' (silver purity) and 'ANTIKO' (maker's mark), often accompanied by the 'Crescent and Crown' German state mark.
Construction Details
Cast construction. The intricate openwork handle/stem and the rose head are cast as a single piece or soldered to the bowl. The bowls are machine-pressed.
Functional Features
Ovate bowls for stirring coffee; decorative handles designed for aesthetics and occasional use in a formal tea or coffee service setting.
Handle & Grip Details
Cast 800 silver openwork handles shaped like rose stems with thorns and leaves. Integrated design with no separate grip materials.
Craftsmanship Details
Good quality industrial casting. The oxidation is applied intentionally to create depth in the rose petals, showing attention to textural detail characteristic of Pforzheim workshops.
Authentication Indicators
The 'ANTIKO' and '800' marks are standard; the design is an exact match for Kohlbecher & Co.'s catalog. The crystallization of tarnish suggests genuine silver content rather than silver plate.
Origin & Manufacturing
Pforzheim, Germany; known as the 'Goldstadt' or Golden City, a historic center for jewelry and silver manufacturing.
Era & Period
Modern / Mid-Century German (c. 1950-1980), based on the pattern popularity and packaging style. The design mimics 19th-century German Romantic themes.
Age Estimate
Circa 1960-1970. The plastic retaining clips in the display box are consistent with mid-to-late 20th-century mass-market distribution.
Cultural Significance
Represents the German 'Kaffee und Kuchen' (coffee and cake) social tradition. These sets were extremely popular as wedding gifts and tourist souvenirs in post-WWII Germany.
Condition Notes
Good condition but heavily tarnished. The silver shows significant oxidation (blackening), and the vermeil gold-wash in the bowls appears dull and possibly worn. No visible structural damage or bent stems. (Overall: Good/Vintage)
Value Estimate
$60 - $120 USD for the set, depending on the current spot price of silver and the demand for the specific maker's mark.
Care & Maintenance
Hand wash only with mild soap. Use a gentle silver cream (like Wright's) on the stems, but avoid heavy polishing on the gold-washed bowls to prevent stripping the thin gold layer.
Similar Pieces
Hildesheimer Rose spoons by other makers like Christoph Widmann or Robbe & Berking. Market-competitor patterns include 'Chantilly' (Gorham) or Danish 'Acorn' (Georg Jensen), though those are usually solid sterling.
Interesting Facts
The pattern is inspired by the 'Thousand-Year Rose' at Hildesheim Cathedral, which is believed to be the world's oldest living rose bush.