German 800 Fine Silver Small Hollowware Bowl
Hollowware (Small Bowl or Dish) · Unknown German Silversmith; the mark is partially obscured but indicates a regulated German workshop production. German silver firms like Wilkens, Koch & Bergfeld, or Bruckmann & Söhne were prolific during this period.
Pattern: Traditional German Plain or Minimalist Style; not attributed to a specific proprietary collection name without further silhouette details.
Type
Hollowware (Small Bowl or Dish)
Maker
Unknown German Silversmith; the mark is partially obscured but indicates a regulated German workshop production. German silver firms like Wilkens, Koch & Bergfeld, or Bruckmann & Söhne were prolific during this period.
Material
800 Silver (80% silver, 20% copper alloy). This was the national standard for Germany established in 1888.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter of 10-15 cm; weight typically ranges between 100g and 250g depending on thickness and gauge.
Description
A classic piece of German silver hollowware, this bowl demonstrates the sturdy utility and high-purity standards of the late 19th-century German Empire. The high luster of the 800-grade silver provides a warm, slightly warmer tone than sterling, typical of continental silver alloys of the era. Its clean lines and lack of ornate repoussé work suggest it was intended for daily use or as a sophisticated understated gift.
Key Features
The '800' hallmark in an oval cartouche adjacent to the Imperial Crown and Crescent Moon national mark.
Material & Composition
800 Silver (80% silver, 20% copper alloy). This was the national standard for Germany established in 1888.
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish with a hand-hammered or planar interior surface. No visible chased or engraved decoration, suggesting a late 19th or early 20th-century functional aesthetic.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Consists of the German 'Reichsmark' system: '800' fineness stamp in an oval cartouche and the remains of the Crescent Moon and Imperial Crown (Halbmond und Krone) national mark to the left.
Construction Details
Likely raised from a flat sheet or spun on a lathe. The visible transition at the rim suggests a rolled or reinforced edge common in German hollowware production.
Functional Features
Smooth interior for food service or card presentation; stable base (likely a foot ring or flat bottom).
Handle & Grip Details
None visible; appears to be a simple open bowl form.
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-assisted spinning followed by hand-finishing and polishing. The hallmark strike shows traditional heavy-pressure stamping.
Authentication Indicators
The hallmarks are struck with the appropriate depth and displacement for hand-struck dies of the late 19th century. The wear patterns inside the stamp borders are consistent with natural aging.
Origin & Manufacturing
Germany; common manufacturing hubs included Hanau, Bremen, and Pforzheim.
Era & Period
Wilhelminian Period / Late Victorian Era (c. 1888-1915). Characterized by the standardized hallmarking system of unified Germany.
Age Estimate
Circa 1890-1910 based on the style of the '800' stamp and the Reichsmark stamps.
Cultural Significance
800 silver was the 'workhorse' of the European middle class, representing stability and status in a post-unification Germany.
Condition Notes
Very Good; the surface shows minor 'fire scale' and micro-scratches consistent with gentle polishing over many decades. No significant dents or structural cracks are visible in the highlighted area.
Value Estimate
$150 - $350 USD depending on the overall size and the identification of the specific maker from the obscured mark.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild non-abrasive silver cream like Hagerty or Wright’s; avoid chemical dips which can strip the protective patina inside the hallmarks.
Similar Pieces
Austrian 800 silver (marked with a Diana head), French 800 silver (marked with a boar's head), or American Sterling (.925).
Interesting Facts
Before 1888, German silver used the 'Loth' measurement system (12-16 loth). This piece represents the modern transition to the decimal system.