British Sterling Silver Stuart-Style Silver Paten / Shallow Bowl
Hollowware (Bowl, Paten, Alms Dish) · Attributed to a British silversmith with maker's mark HP, operating within the traditional British assay system.
Pattern: Traditional ecclesiastical or domestic plain paten design featuring stepped rim and boss center, modeled after 17th-century Stuart period forms.
Type
Hollowware (Bowl, Paten, Alms Dish)
Maker
Attributed to a British silversmith with maker's mark HP, operating within the traditional British assay system.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity)
Dimensions
Diameter approximately 15 cm (6 inches); standard small paten or tazza size, estimated weight between 120 and 180 grams.
Description
An exquisite British sterling silver shallow bowl or paten featuring a wide, flat rim accented with subtle concentric stepped rings and a prominent central boss. The highly polished, reflective surface creates striking optical distortions. Distinctive hallmarks are neatly stamped into the upper rim, lending authenticity and historic charm to this versatile vessel.
Key Features
Wide flat rim with crisp stepped detailing, central domed boss, and clearly struck set of four British hallmarks across the rim top.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity)
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish with concentric stepped reeded lines along the wide flat rim. Plain circular boss to the well center.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamps visible on the rim include a maker's mark 'HP' in a shield, a lion passant (sterling silver standard), a town/assay office mark, and a lowercase gothic date letter (matching mid-20th-century or certain Victorian dating cycles depending on exact font context).
Construction Details
Raised from a single sheet of sterling silver with a lathe-turned or spun finish, showing precise concentric circular tooling lines on the underside and crisp die-stamped hallmarks.
Functional Features
Wide flat rim designed for handling during liturgical use (as a paten for bread) or as a small decorative card or sweetmeat tray.
Handle & Grip Details
Handleless dish form relying on the wide flat rim for secure gripping and presentation.
Craftsmanship Details
Exceptional metal-spinning and raising precision, with perfectly balanced concentric circles and deeply struck, well-aligned hallmarks.
Authentication Indicators
The presence of a clear four-mark British hallmark block (maker, lion passant, assay office, and date letter) punched directly into the metal surface is a strong indicator of authentic British silver standards.
Origin & Manufacturing
United Kingdom, manufactured in accordance with British sterling silver assay standards.
Era & Period
Can span traditional revival styles; highly reminiscent of 17th-century Stuart designs, though hallmark typography suggests later British production.
Age Estimate
Likely 20th century, utilizing traditional British hallmark stamps and historic Stuart revival forms.
Cultural Significance
Represents the long-standing British tradition of ecclesiastical and domestic silver smithing, adhering to strict hallmarking laws dating back centuries.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The surface exhibits light handling micro-scratches consistent with careful polishing and age, but maintains strong structural integrity with no dents, splits, or repairs.
Value Estimate
Estimated between $150 to $300 USD depending on the exact date letter, maker identification, and exact weight.
Care & Maintenance
Clean periodically with a high-quality liquid silver polish or professional polishing cloth like Wright's or Cape Cod. Wash in warm soapy water and dry thoroughly. Store in an anti-tarnish silver cloth pouch.
Similar Pieces
Stuart period antique patens, modern commemorative silver dishes, and traditional British alms plates.
Interesting Facts
Paten bowls of this shape draw direct lineage from medieval and Stuart-era church silver, where flat-rimmed plates were utilized during communion before being adapted for domestic secular use as sweetmeat dishes.