Wiskemann Bruxelles Silver-Plated Hollowware Vessel
Hollowware · Wiskemann, founded in Brussels, Belgium, by Otto-Léonard Wiskemann in 1872. Known for producing exceptionally high-quality silver-plated items and luxury tableware, highly regarded throughout Europe for durability and craftsmanship.
Pattern: Standard Belgian hospitality and domestic hollowware line, produced as part of their hotelware and household silver-plated ranges during the mid-20th century.
Type
Hollowware
Maker
Wiskemann, founded in Brussels, Belgium, by Otto-Léonard Wiskemann in 1872. Known for producing exceptionally high-quality silver-plated items and luxury tableware, highly regarded throughout Europe for durability and craftsmanship.
Material
Silver-plated base metal (likely nickel silver or brass alloy underneath), indicated by standard European silver-plating practices of the period.
Dimensions
Standard individual or small-capacity hollowware vessel size; exact weight and linear dimensions cannot be fully determined from the base view alone, but typical for a small creamer, sugar bowl, or lidded pot.
Description
This piece is a classic piece of European silver-plated hollowware produced by the renowned Belgian firm Wiskemann of Brussels. The base prominently features the maker's rectangular cartouche stamp confirming its authentic Belgian manufacture and patented status, along with the size digit '2'. Encased in protective bubble wrap, the piece reflects the high industrial and artistic standard of European silver-plating traditions.
Key Features
Crisp factory hallmark reading Wiskemann Bruxelles, 'Modele Brevete' patent indicator, Belgian origin stamp, and numerical size designation.
Material & Composition
Silver-plated base metal (likely nickel silver or brass alloy underneath), indicated by standard European silver-plating practices of the period.
Finish & Decoration
Polished silver-plate finish with a stamped maker's mark on the base. Minimalist or utilitarian styling typical of classic European hollowware production.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Clearly stamped manufacturer mark reading 'WISKEMANN BRUXELLES' with 'MODELE + BREVETE' (Patented Model) and 'FABRICATION BELGE' (Belgian Manufacture), accompanied by a numerical capacity or size indicator '2' above.
Construction Details
Machine-manufactured and spun metal construction with soldered components, typical of mid-20th-century European commercial silver-plate workshops.
Functional Features
Designed for table service, likely featuring a hollowware body intended to hold liquids or condiments, complete with a standardized capacity marker '2'.
Handle & Grip Details
Metal body with integrated or attached handles depending on the specific hollowware form; standard commercial fabrication.
Craftsmanship Details
Commercial European craftsmanship featuring clean metal spinning, durable electroplating, and deeply struck manufacturer hallmarks.
Authentication Indicators
Authentic Wiskemann factory stamp with correct spelling, typography, Swiss cross-style symbol within the patent text, and clear indication of Belgian production.
Origin & Manufacturing
Brussels, Belgium, produced in the historic Wiskemann workshops known for strict quality standards and luxury hotel silver.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (c. 1930s-1960s), indicated by the style of the stamp and Belgian manufacturing marks.
Age Estimate
Circa mid-20th century, roughly 1940 to 1960, based on the typography and layout of the Wiskemann trademark stamp.
Cultural Significance
Represents the height of Belgian industrial arts and bourgeois dining culture in the mid-20th century, showcasing European standards of quality-controlled metalware.
Condition Notes
Base surface shows typical light scuffing and minor tarnish consistent with storage and age, but the hallmark stamp remains exceptionally crisp and legible. Overall condition is very good for a mid-century silver-plated hollowware piece.
Value Estimate
Estimated market value ranges between $40 to $150 USD depending on the specific hollowware form (e.g., creamer, sugar bowl, or gravy boat) and overall preservation.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft microfiber cloth and specialized silver-plating cream (such as Wright's Silver Cream). Avoid harsh abrasives to preserve the thin silver-plated layer.
Similar Pieces
Similar silver-plated hollowware from European makers such as Christofle (France), WMF (Germany), or Delheid (Belgium).
Interesting Facts
Wiskemann silver was famously used in luxury hotels, fine dining establishments, and embassies across Europe due to its superior thickness and durability of silver plating.