American Sterling Silver Repoussé and Pierced Small Bowl or Sweetmeat Dish
Hollowware (Small Bowl / Sweetmeat Dish / Bonbonniere) · Likely American manufacturer such as Gorham Manufacturing Co., Stieff, or similar late 19th/early 20th-century silversmiths known for repoussé work.
Pattern: Floral and scroll repoussé pattern with openwork lattice panels, popular in the late Victorian and Edwardian periods.
Type
Hollowware (Small Bowl / Sweetmeat Dish / Bonbonniere)
Maker
Likely American manufacturer such as Gorham Manufacturing Co., Stieff, or similar late 19th/early 20th-century silversmiths known for repoussé work.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity)
Dimensions
Estimated length approximately 12-15 cm including handles, width around 8-10 cm, height approximately 4 cm. Estimated weight around 50 to 90 grams.
Description
An exquisite small sterling silver sweetmeat dish or bonbon bowl featuring an oval form with a smooth central base. The rim and walls are richly decorated with high-relief repoussé floral blossoms, cascading leaves, and flowing C-scrolls, interspersed with delicate pierced lattice panels that provide a striking contrast of texture and light. Twin ornate loop handles extend gracefully from the short ends, completing a decorative and functional piece typical of late Victorian craftsmanship.
Key Features
Combination of high-relief repoussé floral motifs, intricate pierced lattice work, smooth central well, and paired decorative loop handles.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity)
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish on the central well with high-relief repoussé floral and scroll motifs along the rim, combined with pierced (openwork) lattice sections. Features cast and applied small loop handles.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Typically stamped with 'Sterling' and a maker's hallmark on the underside or rim, though not clearly visible in the provided image.
Construction Details
Likely press-formed or die-struck blank with hand-chased repoussé details, pierced openwork lattice cutting, and soldered-on side loop handles.
Functional Features
Designed as a small decorative serving dish for candies, nuts, mints, or small sweetmeats.
Handle & Grip Details
Twin small, highly ornate cast loop handles attached securely to either end of the oval rim, echoing the floral scroll motif.
Craftsmanship Details
Displays a high level of decorative execution with crisp repoussé detailing and clean, symmetrical piercing work, characteristic of quality manufacturing at the turn of the 20th century.
Authentication Indicators
Consistent heavy patination in deep recesses, precise piercing work, and natural weight and feel of genuine sterling silver. Definitive authentication requires checking the underside for specific maker's stamps and the 'Sterling' mark.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States or potentially British, following the widespread late 19th-century aesthetic movement favoring heavily ornamented floral repoussé.
Era & Period
Late Victorian to Edwardian Era (c. 1890-1910)
Age Estimate
Circa 1890-1915, based on the prevalent use of heavy floral repoussé and pierced work during the turn of the 20th century.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the Victorian obsession with elaborate, nature-inspired ornamentation in domestic tableware, symbolizing hospitality, refinement, and social status.
Condition Notes
Very Good vintage condition. Shows light surface micro-scratches consistent with age and gentle use, with moderate natural tarnish in the crevices that accentuates the repoussé design. Structural integrity is sound with no apparent repairs or dents.
Value Estimate
Estimated market value ranges between $75 and $175 USD, depending on the exact maker, weight, and presence of clear hallmarks.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft-bristled brush to clear tarnish from crevices. Polish sparingly with a quality silver cream and a soft microfiber cloth to preserve the dark patina in the recessed details.
Similar Pieces
Similar small pierced and repoussé dishes produced by Gorham, Whiting, or dominant Birmingham silversmiths of the same era.
Interesting Facts
Small dishes of this type were popular parlor accessories during the Victorian era, often used to serve after-dinner mints or sugary confections to guests during formal calling hours.