Barker Brothers Sterling Silver Footed Bowl c. 1929
Hollowware (Bowl/Compote) · Barker Brothers (Silver) Ltd. (B & Co). Originally founded in Birmingham, England in 1801, they were renowned for high-quality domestic hollowware and presentation pieces.
Pattern: Traditional Georgic/Art Deco Transition; standard production line without a named pattern, typical of the late 1920s minimalist aesthetic.
Type
Hollowware (Bowl/Compote)
Maker
Barker Brothers (Silver) Ltd. (B & Co). Originally founded in Birmingham, England in 1801, they were renowned for high-quality domestic hollowware and presentation pieces.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity), solid composition throughout without weighted or glass elements.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter 6-8 inches; weight approximately 250-450 grams depending on height. Standard medium-sized serving or presentation bowl.
Description
An elegant sterling silver pedestal bowl featuring a classic stepped design. The piece balances the substantial feel of traditional British silver with the refined, clean aesthetic emerging in the late 1920s.
Key Features
Deeply struck historical hallmarks, Barker Brothers signature 'B&Co' mark, and geometric stepped moldering on the foot.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity), solid composition throughout without weighted or glass elements.
Finish & Decoration
Polished mirror finish with stepped concentric reeding near the base and rim. Decorative style is late-Edwardian/Early Art Deco with clean, geometric lines and no ornate engraving.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Birmingham Assay Office mark (Anchor), Sterling Silver mark (Lion Passant), Date Letter 'E' (1929), and the Maker's Mark 'B&Co.' for Barker Brothers.
Construction Details
Spun or raised silver body with a separately fashioned and soldered pedestal base. Evidence of professional machine-striking for the hallmarks.
Functional Features
Stable pedestal base, wide brim for fruit or sweets serving, smooth interior for ease of cleaning.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A - This appears to be a bowl without handles. The grip is the exterior surface of the silver bowl itself.
Craftsmanship Details
Excellent solder work at the base-to-bowl joint; high-quality gauge of silver sheet providing a sturdy, non-fragile feel.
Authentication Indicators
The hallmarks are consistent in size, depth, and shield shape for the 1929 Birmingham assay. The patina in the recesses of the marks suggests age rather than laser modern engraving.
Origin & Manufacturing
Birmingham, England. Manufactured in the historic Jewellery Quarter by Barker Brothers, one of the city's lead silver producers at the time.
Era & Period
Interwar Period (Art Deco era), specifically 1929. The design shows the shift from Victorian ornate styles to modern, sleek functionality.
Age Estimate
Dated 1929 based on the Birmingham 'E' date letter hallmark.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Roaring Twenties' British domesticity, where solid silver was a standard wedding gift and a symbol of middle-class stability before the Great Depression.
Condition Notes
Good antique condition. Visible fine surface scratches (swirls) from decades of cleaning; no visible deep dents or thinning in this view. Grade: Very Good.
Value Estimate
$300 - $600 USD based on current silver scrap weight plus a collector's premium for the established maker and condition.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver foam (like Wright's) and a soft cotton cloth. Avoid machine washing or abrasive pads which will dull the high-polish finish.
Similar Pieces
Mappin & Webb pedestal bowls (often more ornate) or Elkington & Co. hollowware of the same period (often heavier).
Interesting Facts
Barker Brothers was so successful that they acquired several other firms in the early 20th century, eventually becoming one of the largest silver manufacturing firms in the UK.