| This is an exceptional museum quality American sterling silver bowl in the Aesthetic style, covered all over its surface with the marks of hand hammering and exquisitely decorated with naturalistic motifs in copper and gold. It is supported by four low, slightly curved applied sterling silver feet and has been beautifully enhanced by the addition of a bird in flight and two separate butterflies, all three skillfully and meticulously crafted from applied copper and assigned to the surface in a pleasingly asymmetrical design. The rim of the bowl has been effectively embellished by the addition at each end of an applied leafy branch, each one laden with ripe, luscious fruit. The copper branches of both motifs exhibit extraordinary detailing and curve sinuously over the bowl’s rim, projecting the exquisitely-crafted leaves and fruit outwards from the surface in a stunningly realistic 3-dimensional effect. On one side of the rim the copper branches have complementing copper leaves and proffer a bunch of ripe silver olives, while on the other, the copper branches bear leaves of gold and their copper stems culminate in an enticing cluster of deliciously real-looking copper cherries. The craftsmanship of all these elements is truly exceptional and of the very highest standards available. Everything is in excellent, pristine condition with a beautiful patina. The underside of the base has been stamped with a pattern number, the words Sterling and Other Metals and the identifying mark of the Gorham Corporation. (This mark is very faint, but can be seen). A date letter, N, is clearly stamped, this being an identifying letter used by Gorham during the production year 1881. This is a really magnificent and very special piece which belongs in the collection of any connoisseur of fine silver. The bowl’s rim measures approx. 8 ½” in diameter and the fruit clusters each extend outwards approx. 1 ½ ‘at each side. It stands approx. 4” tall. Please note that we also have another very similar bowl, our stock number AY895, which would make a spectacular companion piece to this bowl. Price: $15,000.00 Stock #AY785 |