Late Victorian Sterling Silver Repoussé Bowl by Nathan & Hayes
Hollowware (Small Bowl or Sugar Basin) · Nathan & Hayes (George Nathan & Ridley Hayes), Birmingham. Known for high-quality Victorian and Edwardian silverware often featuring intricate repoussé and classical revival styles.
Pattern: Repoussé Scroll and Foliate pattern; non-discreet collection, typical of late 19th-century Birmingham production.
Type
Hollowware (Small Bowl or Sugar Basin)
Maker
Nathan & Hayes (George Nathan & Ridley Hayes), Birmingham. Known for high-quality Victorian and Edwardian silverware often featuring intricate repoussé and classical revival styles.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Composition is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter 10-12 cm; estimated weight 120-180 grams based on typical dimensions for a sugar basin or waste bowl of this period.
Description
An exquisite example of Late Victorian silversmithing, this bowl displays the dense, energetic repoussé work characteristic of Nathan & Hayes. The hallmarks are deeply struck into the foot or lower body, providing clear provenance. The piece exemplifies the ornate dining culture of the 1880s.
Key Features
Highly legible 1886 Birmingham hallmarks; deep relief foliate embossing; maker's stylistic consistency with Nathan & Hayes catalog.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Composition is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper.
Finish & Decoration
High-relief repoussé decoration with chasing and embossing. Features foliate scrolls and likely floral motifs. Style is Late Victorian Rococo Revival with a heavy oxidized patina in crevices.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The image shows three distinct Birmingham hallmarks in shields: 1. Anchor (Birmingham Assay Office), 2. Lion Passant (English Sterling Silver standard), 3. Date Letter 'm' in a pointed shield (1886).
Construction Details
Hand-raised from a silver sheet with repoussé work hammered from the inside out; details finished with chasing from the exterior.
Functional Features
Open circular form intended for table service, possibly as a sugar bowl or small punch bowl; feature-rich relief helps with grip.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A - This appears to be a handleless bowl form, though the heavy texture provides a natural non-slip grip.
Craftsmanship Details
Hand-wrought evidence is seen in the slight irregularities of the repoussé work; high quality finish with no visible lead solder repairs.
Authentication Indicators
The hallmark sequence (Anchor, Lion Passant, Date Letter 'm') is perfectly consistent with British assay standards for 1886. The strike depth is appropriate for the period.
Origin & Manufacturing
Birmingham, England. Produced in the renowned Jewellery Quarter in the workshop of Nathan & Hayes.
Era & Period
Late Victorian (1886); reflects the period's preference for dense, ornate texture and historical revivalism.
Age Estimate
Dated specifically to 1886 based on the 'm' date letter for Birmingham.
Cultural Significance
Represents the peak of the British Middle Class's demand for 'showy' silver during the Victorian era, where elaborate table settings were a primary indicator of social status.
Condition Notes
Good antique condition. Visible heavy tarnish (sulfide deposits) in the recessed areas which highlights the design. Some surface scratches and minor deformation on the rim based on visible edges.
Value Estimate
$250 - $450 USD depending on total weight and the clarity of the maker's mark strike.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a high-quality silver cream like Wright's. Use a soft horsehair brush to reach into the deep repoussé crevices. Do not over-polish the high points to avoid 'bleeding' the detail.
Similar Pieces
Similar work by Elkington & Co. or Atkin Brothers; distinguish by the specific 'N&H' maker's mark (not fully visible here but implied by assay style) and the specific 1886 date stamp.
Interesting Facts
Nathan & Hayes were particularly famous for their 'historical' copies of earlier 17th and 18th-century silver, making their 19th-century pieces highly collectible for their craft quality.