Egyptian Silver Footed Sugar Bowl or Creamer, Middle Eastern Art Deco Style
Tea/Coffee Service (Hollowware) · Egyptian Workshop (Attributed to Al-Kherenagy or similar Cairo silversmith)
Pattern: Traditional Egyptian Neoclassical with Art Deco influence; likely a custom workshop production rather than a named pattern line.
Type
Tea/Coffee Service (Hollowware)
Maker
Egyptian Workshop (Attributed to Al-Kherenagy or similar Cairo silversmith)
Material
Egyptian Silver (likely 800 or 900 purity), solid composition with cast silver legs and handle.
Dimensions
Estimated 8-10cm height; weight likely 150-250 grams based on gauge and form.
Description
An elegant Egyptian silver vessel, potentially a sugar bowl or creamer, featuring a globular body supported by three distinctively modeled legs ending in hoofed feet. The piece exhibits the fine proportions common in Mediterranean silver of the mid-20th century, combining traditional motifs with modern silhouettes.
Key Features
Hoof-and-pad tripod feet; Arabic hallmark stamps on the base; shell-patterned repoussé/cast band; high-purity alloy compared to European 'Continentals'.
Material & Composition
Egyptian Silver (likely 800 or 900 purity), solid composition with cast silver legs and handle.
Finish & Decoration
Polished finish with cast relief; features a shell-like vertical gadroon or petal motif on the upper body and hoof-style tripod feet.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Hand-stamped Arabic script marks including maker’s name and localized silver purity/assay marks characteristic of the Cairo Assay Office.
Construction Details
Raised spherical body with cast legs and handle professionally hard-soldered to the main vessel.
Functional Features
Tripod stability for tea service; open top design suitable for lump sugar or hot milk; insulating air gap provided by high legs.
Handle & Grip Details
Cast silver handle with a smooth scroll profile, attached at two points for structural durability.
Craftsmanship Details
Hybrid of hand-raising (for the bowl) and lost-wax casting (for the legs), representing high-level artisanal workshop production rather than mass factory output.
Authentication Indicators
Hand-struck Arabic marks on the rounded base show consistent depth and wear; hand-soldering joints exhibit age-appropriate discoloration; weight-to-size ratio is consistent with 800-900 silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
Egypt, specifically the Khan el-Khalili district of Cairo, known for high-quality silver workshops using traditional raising and casting methods.
Era & Period
Modern Egyptian / Art Deco Period (Mid-20th Century, c. 1930-1960)
Age Estimate
Circa 1940-1955; based on the style of the Arabic script stamps and the hybrid neoclassical/Art Deco aesthetic.
Cultural Significance
Represents the flourishing silver trade in post-colonial Egypt, serving as a status symbol in middle-class households for the ritualistic serving of tea or coffee.
Condition Notes
Good overall condition; visible surface tarnish and light 'fire scale' or patina. Minor abrasions consistent with hand-polishing and age. No visible structural cracks.
Value Estimate
$150 - $350 USD depending on total weight and identification of a specific prestigious Cairo workshop.
Care & Maintenance
Hand polish with a non-abrasive cream like Wright’s Silver Cream; avoid chemical dips which can strip the protective naturally aged patina in the casting crevices.
Similar Pieces
Can be compared to Christofle's Middle Eastern trade pieces or Turkish 900 silver 'Sah' pieces, though the Arabic calligraphy specifically identifies it as Egyptian.
Interesting Facts
Egyptian silver hallmarks have a unique system including a lotus flower (for purity) and specific cats or birds depending on the era; the calligraphed stamps often contain the workshop name in stylized Arabic script.