German Hanau Style Fruit Repoussé 800 Silver Nut Dish
Hollowware (Nut Dish, Pin Tray, or Bonbon Bowl) · Unknown German Silversmith; Hanau tradition. While no specific maker's mark is visible beyond the purity stamp, the style is indicative of the late 19th/early 20th-century German workshops such as Wolf & Knell or Georg Roth.
Pattern: Fruit Harvest / Still Life Repoussé; non-specific generic pattern typical of Continental European silver export ware.
Type
Hollowware (Nut Dish, Pin Tray, or Bonbon Bowl)
Maker
Unknown German Silversmith; Hanau tradition. While no specific maker's mark is visible beyond the purity stamp, the style is indicative of the late 19th/early 20th-century German workshops such as Wolf & Knell or Georg Roth.
Material
800 Silver (80% silver, 20% copper alloy). This is the standard European silver fineness common in Germany, Italy, and Eastern Europe during the period.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter of 10-12 cm (4-5 inches). Estimated weight 45-70 grams based on its presence on a digital scale (though readout is obscured).
Description
A charming example of German silver craft, this small circular dish features an exuberant display of the harvest. The central repoussé work is remarkably crisp, depicting a cornucopia of fruits symbolizing abundance. The use of 800 silver provides a durable yet lustrous finish, while the beaded radius lines add a structural geometric contrast to the organic central theme.
Key Features
The most striking feature is the high-relief repoussé work and the '800' mark placed directly within the decorative field rather than on the rim or underside, which is characteristic of certain continental export styles.
Material & Composition
800 Silver (80% silver, 20% copper alloy). This is the standard European silver fineness common in Germany, Italy, and Eastern Europe during the period.
Finish & Decoration
Heavy repoussé central medallion featuring high-relief fruits (grapes, pomegranate, berries) against a stippled (chased) background. The dish features a beaded rim and vertical beaded dividers ('cabled' decoration) separating four polished lobes.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The '800' incuse stamp is clearly visible in the central field. This indicates German or Continental origin. The absence of the 'Crescent and Crown' suggests either an export piece or a pre-1888 production, though it most likely represents a standard German utility mark.
Construction Details
Die-struck or machine-pressed with hand-chased finishing on the stippled background. The thinness of the silver allows for the high-relief fruit peaks to be visible, common in 'Historismus' or revivalist styles.
Functional Features
Single piece construction with a deep well designed for small dry condiments, nuts, or sweets. The textured bottom prevents small items from sliding.
Handle & Grip Details
None; this is a standard open bowl form without handles or grips.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard commercial quality for the period. The repoussé is well-executed with good volume, and the beaded rim is symmetrical, indicating a high-quality production die.
Authentication Indicators
The '800' stamp font and depth are consistent with authentic late 19th-century German pieces. The stippled background shows signs of hand-applied punch work common in this era's finishing process.
Origin & Manufacturing
Germany, likely the Hanau or Pforzheim region. German manufacturing of this era was famous for reviving historical styles for international markets.
Era & Period
Historismus (German Revivalist Period) or Late Victorian stylistic influence. This piece draws from 17th-century Baroque silver designs but was manufactured for the burgeoning middle class.
Age Estimate
Circa 1890–1920. The style of the '800' stamp and the specific fruit motif are classic for the late 19th-century German silver industry.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Gilded Age' dining culture where specialized dishes were created for every conceivable food item, from individual nut bowls to specialized asparagus tongs.
Condition Notes
Very Good. Light surface scratches and minor tarnish in the recessed areas of the fruit. No visible dents to the beaded rim. The relief retains its detail without significant 'polishing out' (loss of detail from over-cleaning).
Value Estimate
$60 – $110 USD. Value is driven by the silver weight and the decorative appeal rather than a specific famous maker's name.
Care & Maintenance
Hand polish with a soft cotton cloth and a high-quality silver cream like Wright's. Avoid silver 'dips' which can strip the desirable oxidation from the deep recesses of the fruit pattern, ruining the visual depth.
Similar Pieces
English Sterling Pin Trays (usually .925 and with Birmingham hallmarks); Italian 800 Silver Fruit Bowls (often larger and more ornate); American Sterling Nut Dishes by Gorham (usually heavier and featuring Art Nouveau florals).
Interesting Facts
800 silver was the legal minimum standard in Germany after 1888. Hanau silversmiths often intentionally used older-looking marks or pseudo-hallmarks to give their pieces an 'antique' appearance for the foreign market, but the simple '800' stamp here suggests a more straightforward commercial production.