Victorian Silver Plated Repoussé Pedestal Bowl
Hollowware (Bowl / Compote) · Unknown Victorian British or American Manufacturer, likely late 19th-century silversmith producing quality electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) hollowware.
Pattern: Rococo Revival floral and scroll pattern featuring fluted panels and heavily chased borders.
Type
Hollowware (Bowl / Compote)
Maker
Unknown Victorian British or American Manufacturer, likely late 19th-century silversmith producing quality electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) hollowware.
Material
Silver Plated over a base metal of nickel silver or white metal alloy (EPNS).
Dimensions
Estimated diameter of approximately 8 to 10 inches and a height of 3 to 4 inches, consistent with a standard serving or centerpiece bowl.
Description
This exquisite Victorian silver-plated bowl features a dazzling mirror finish complemented by a vibrant iridescent tarnish ring around the rim. The body is elegantly fluted, creating a play of light across the interior basin. The scalloped rim is heavily decorated with high-relief repoussé floral scrolls and foliate motifs that give it a rich, textured appearance. Elevated gracefully on three ornate scroll feet, this piece exemplifies the decorative exuberance of late 19th-century dining table presentation.
Key Features
Scalloped rim with deep repoussé floral chasing, fluted basin panels, and three matching cast scroll feet.
Material & Composition
Silver Plated over a base metal of nickel silver or white metal alloy (EPNS).
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish interior and fluted basin with heavily chased and repoussé floral, foliate, and scroll motifs along the scalloped rim. Features three decorative applied cast feet in a scroll design.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Maker marks and electroplate stamps (such as EP or EPNS) are likely stamped on the underside base, though not clearly visible in the provided image angle.
Construction Details
Combination of spun or pressed body form with hand-chased repoussé detailing on the rim. The three ornate feet are cast separately and securely soldered to the reinforced base.
Functional Features
Open shallow bowl design intended for serving fruits, nuts, small side dishes, or functioning as a decorative tablescape centerpiece.
Handle & Grip Details
Handleless design relying on the fluted exterior rim and secure footing for handling and serving.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial and hand-finished hybrid construction. The deep repoussé work demonstrates skilled artisan chasing combined with precision spinning and sturdy cast-foot soldering.
Authentication Indicators
Construction techniques, weight distribution, and the natural progression of rich rainbow tarnish patterns strongly support late 19th-century Victorian manufacturing standards.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely manufactured in Sheffield, Birmingham (UK), or the northeastern United States (such as Meriden or Wallingford, Connecticut), reflecting widespread industrial silver-plating techniques of the period.
Era & Period
Victorian Era (Late 19th Century, c. 1875-1900), drawing heavy inspiration from the earlier 18th-century Rococo Revival movement.
Age Estimate
Circa 1880-1900, based on the ornate Rococo Revival aesthetic, heavy repoussé border work, and the widespread popularity of silver-plated centerpieces during the late Victorian period.
Cultural Significance
Represents the Victorian obsession with ornate, highly decorative dining accessories designed to display prosperity and refinement during formal dinners and domestic gatherings.
Condition Notes
Very Good vintage condition. The piece displays a brilliant reflective surface with beautiful natural golden-to-purple sulfide tarnish rings around the rim indicative of age and unpolished storage. Minor surface micro-scratches consistent with gentle use and cleaning over time, with no visible base metal bleed-through or structural dents.
Value Estimate
Estimated market value ranges between $75 to $200 USD depending on the specific maker's mark found on the underside and overall preservation of the silver plating.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with warm water and mild dish soap using a soft sponge. For polishing, use a reputable cream silver polish (such as Wright's Silver Cream) and a microfiber cloth, avoiding aggressive rubbing to preserve the silver plate layer. Store in a tarnish-resistant flannel bag.
Similar Pieces
Similar late-Victorian and Edwardian silver-plated compotes and fruit bowls produced by major makers such as Mappin & Webb, Walker & Hall, or Reed & Barton.
Interesting Facts
During the Victorian era, the rise of electroplating allowed middle-class households to afford elaborate table hollowware that previously was reserved exclusively for solid sterling silver owners.