Arts and Crafts Movement Hammered Sterling Silver Vase
Hollowware (Vase) · Likely Kalo Shop, Shreve & Co, or Liberty & Co. Cymric line. These makers were renowned for hand-beaten silver that emphasized the artist's touch over industrial perfection.
Pattern: Arts and Crafts Style (Hand-Hammered)
Type
Hollowware (Vase)
Maker
Likely Kalo Shop, Shreve & Co, or Liberty & Co. Cymric line. These makers were renowned for hand-beaten silver that emphasized the artist's touch over industrial perfection.
Material
Likely Sterling Silver (.925) or high-grade Continental silver (.800-.900). The deep oxidation and surface texture suggest a solid metal rather than silver plate.
Dimensions
Approximately 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) in height with an estimated weight of 250-400 grams depending on wall thickness.
Description
A striking example of Arts and Crafts hollowware, this vase features a soft, bulbous form that rises into a dramatically flared, wavy rim. The surface is entirely covered in planishing marks—small facets that reflect light in varying directions, testifying to the hundreds of hammer blows required to shape the metal. Currently displaying a deep, rich patina of age, the piece embodies the 'truth to materials' philosophy of the period.
Key Features
Hand-hammered planishing, organic undulating rim, thick gauge metal, and a lack of ornate Victorian-style decoration.
Material & Composition
Likely Sterling Silver (.925) or high-grade Continental silver (.800-.900). The deep oxidation and surface texture suggest a solid metal rather than silver plate.
Finish & Decoration
Planished (hammered) surface finish with heavy oxidation/tarnish. The decoration is purely textural, featuring a wide undulating flared rim and a bulbous body. No engraved or applied motifs.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Marks likely located on the underside of the base. Expected marks would include 'Sterling', a maker's mark (e.g., Kalo inside a circle), and potentially a shape number. The absence of British hallmarks suggests American or European studio origin.
Construction Details
Raised and planished by hand. It started as a flat silver disk and was hammered over various stakes to create the bulbous form. The planishing marks are intentional to show hand-craftsmanship.
Functional Features
Wide flared mouth to support flower arrangements; heavy base for stability. No internal liner or removable parts visible.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A (Handleless vase design)
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality hand-wrought evidence. The evenness of the raising and the purposeful flow of the wavy rim indicate a skilled silversmith rather than an amateur hobbyist.
Authentication Indicators
Irregularity of hammering facets (not machine-stamped), thickness of the rim, and the specific curvature of the flare suggest authentic period construction. Modern reproductions often have too-perfectly spaced 'hammer' marks.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely United States (Chicago or San Francisco) or England (London/Birmingham). Produced in a studio workshop rather than a large-scale industrial factory.
Era & Period
Arts and Crafts Movement (c. 1880-1920). This era rejected machine-made uniformity in favor of 'honest' hand-wrought labor.
Age Estimate
Circa 1905-1920. The style and surface treatment are quintessential to the early 20th-century aesthetic.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of design and the shift toward modernism. It reflects a time when hand-craft was elevated to fine art across Europe and North America.
Condition Notes
Good to Very Good. Heavily tarnished (sulfide deposits), which some collectors prefer but others may wish to polish. No visible major dents, though the rim shows slight irregularities consistent with hand-made production.
Value Estimate
$400 - $1,200 USD. Value depends heavily on the identification of a specific maker's mark (e.g., Kalo Shop pieces command a premium).
Care & Maintenance
Clean with warm soapy water first. If polishing is desired, use a non-abrasive cream like Wright's. Avoid machine buffing which can sharpen the hand-hammered edges. Store in a Pacific Silvercloth bag.
Similar Pieces
Stickley copper vases (more common), Jarvie silver, or Gorham's 'Martelé' line (which is much more ornate and expensive).
Interesting Facts
The Arts and Crafts movement was a reaction against the Industrial Revolution; pieces like this were often given as wedding gifts to signify 'artistic taste' and a rejection of mass-market commercialism.