Italian 800 Silver Pierced Pedestal Bowl with Hammered Finish
Hollowware (Pedestal Bowl / Compote) · Unidentified Italian Silversmith (likely identified by the FAS number in the hallmark). Italian silversmithing in the 20th century is renowned for blending traditional hand-hammering techniques with modern commercial forms.
Pattern: Hand-hammered Pierced Design Collection. These are often non-patterned, unique workshop releases favored for their artisanal texture rather than a named flatware-matching line.
Type
Hollowware (Pedestal Bowl / Compote)
Maker
Unidentified Italian Silversmith (likely identified by the FAS number in the hallmark). Italian silversmithing in the 20th century is renowned for blending traditional hand-hammering techniques with modern commercial forms.
Material
800 Silver (80% silver, 20% copper). This was the standard purity for Italian and Continental silver for most of the 19th and 20th centuries. The piece shows signs of a vermeil (gold wash) interior which has partially worn or tarnished.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter of 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) with a height of roughly 8-10 cm. Based on the thickness, the estimated weight is approximately 250-350 grams.
Description
An elegant Italian 800 silver compote featuring a distinctive hand-beaten finish that captures light across its multi-faceted surface. The flared rim is accented by a series of airy pierced cutouts, providing a delicate contrast to the solid, substantial feel of the hammered silver. The interior displays a warm, golden-hued tarnish, suggesting a light gold wash was originally applied to protect the silver from acidic fruits.
Key Features
Planished (hammered) surface texture; geometric pierced rim; '800' European silver standard mark; pedestal foot construction.
Material & Composition
800 Silver (80% silver, 20% copper). This was the standard purity for Italian and Continental silver for most of the 19th and 20th centuries. The piece shows signs of a vermeil (gold wash) interior which has partially worn or tarnished.
Finish & Decoration
The item features a 'Martelé' or hand-hammered texture throughout the interior basin and base. The rim includes 'traforato' or pierced openwork decoration consisting of geometric and abstract cutouts. Style is Mid-Century Decorative with Neoclassical overtones.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Visible '800' purity mark in an oval/rectangular cartouche. There is an adjacent lozenge-shaped mark typical of Italian post-1934 regulations, which usually contains a province abbreviation (e.g., FI for Florence, MI for Milan) and a silversmith registration number.
Construction Details
The bowl is raised and spun, then finished with planishing (hammering) to create the faceted surface. The piercing is likely die-cut or hand-punched. The pedestal base is soldered to the main basin, visible at the interior seam.
Functional Features
Designed as a center-piece bowl for fruit, nuts, or sweets. The pierced rim allows for air circulation, while the pedestal provides elevation on a tabletop.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A - This is a handle-less compote form.
Craftsmanship Details
High quality. The planishing is even, suggesting a skilled craftsman. The piercing is clean with no burrs, and the soldering of the foot is robust and well-concealed.
Authentication Indicators
The '800' mark is consistent with Italian standards; the lozenge silversmith mark is characteristic of Italian production; the wear at the base and interior shows authentic age-related oxidation rather than chemical 'antiquing'.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in Italy. Specific city would be determined by the province code in the lozenge mark. Italian silver from this era often came from major centers like Milan, Florence, or Vicenza.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (c. 1940-1960). The combination of the hammered aesthetic and the specific Italian hallmark shape points to the post-WWII era of Italian silver production.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950. The wear patterns, tarnish coloration (sulfide rainbowing), and hallmark style are consistent with this mid-century date.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Made in Italy' post-war boom where traditional craftsmanship was exported globally to markets like the US and UK, symbolizing European sophistication and hand-finished quality.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The item shows heavy tarnish (patina) with rainbow iridescent oxidation. There is surface grime in the crevices of the hammered finish. Structural integrity appears sound with no visible dents, though the silver appears to need a careful professional cleaning.
Value Estimate
$200 - $450 USD. Value is largely driven by silver weight plus a premium for the 'Hand Hammered' artisan appeal and Italian origin.
Care & Maintenance
Wash with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth first to remove grime. Use a high-quality silver cream (like Wright's) for the hammered surfaces, ensuring all paste is rinsed from the pierced holes. Avoid 'silver dips' which can strip the desirable patina from the hammer marks.
Similar Pieces
German 800 silver hammered bowls (often heavier/more gothic); Buccellati hammered silver (higher value, more intricate texture); Tiffany Hammered Sterling (usually 925 and higher price point).
Interesting Facts
800 silver was often preferred over Sterling (.925) for hammered hollowware because the higher copper content made the metal slightly harder and more durable for daily utilitarian use.