The 5 Most Sought After Antique Sterling Silver Bowls

• Posted on 11th March 2016
• in Antique Silver, antique silver bowls, antique silver buyers, Antique Silver Tea Set, antique sterling silver, Antique Sterling Silver Trays
• by Alan

Sterling silver dinnerware has a prestigious history, and sterling silver bowls are one of the more frequently used items within a set. Beyond the use at the dinner table, the shape and beauty of sterling silver bowls are great as decorative objects as well. Their shape and natural luster and shine makes sterling silver bowls great to be given as gifts or even trophies for special accomplishments.

In England and the United States, sterling silver utensils and dishes, including bowls, are associated with elegance. There are even times when the patterns are sometimes associated with royalty. Over the years, sterling silver bowls have become essential in a table setting at a formal event. Antique sterling silver bowls are sometimes highly decorative with intricate, natural designs consisting of scenes such as plants, fruits or even people, that wrap around and accentuate the bowl exteriors.

Silversmiths and silver makers have traditionally marked their creations with a name or symbol, called markings or a hallmark. These symbols can be searched online or an antique seller and buyer can also help you identify the manufacturer, age and style of a sterling silver bowl.

1. Georg Jenson

Georg Jensen was a Danish silversmith who was delighted in the curving lines of Art Nouveau, inspired by the shapes of flowers, fruits, and the female torso. Jensen founded his firm in Copenhagen in 1904 and his passion for those designs were manifested in his silver flatware and hollowware creations, and also included grapes, birds, and flora. The symmetry of Art Deco was added to the company’s repertoire over the years as Jensen employed other designers, including Johan Rohde, Swedish prince Sigvard Bernadotte, and Harald Nielsen. Jensen’s company has created more than 1,200 hollowware and other pieces, ranging from vases, pitchers, and bowls to tea sets and fish platters. His sterling silver bowls are definitely sought after pieces.

2. Reed & Barton – Paul Revere

As one of the leading silver companies in the United States, Reed & Barton produces a wide range of sterling silver, silver-plated, and stainless steel flatware and giftware products, including the Paul Revere. The bowl rests on a small base, and is very complementary to a lot of the other Reed & Barton patterns and decors. The Paul Revere bowl shape is known as one of the most recognizable silver items in America. The Paul Revere sterling silver bowl still remains one of the most popular items for engraving, gift-giving, and corporate awards.

3. Reed & Barton – Les six fleurs

‘Les Six Fleurs’ is one of the greatest American art nouveau patterns and it was first patented in 1901. The pattern has a beautiful casting of dramatic flowers and foliage with expansive and intricate detailing. The flowing pattern continues into the large gilded bowls of the pieces. The bowl of the spoon is slightly scalloped and has an irregularly shaped rim while the bowl of the fork is pierced. The backs of the handles of both the spoon and forks are designed with lovely art nouveau foliage.

The “Les Six Fluers” sterling silver set typically consists of:
14 luncheon forks
12 teaspoons
12 coffee spoons
12 gumbo soupspoons
12 dinner forks
12 hollow luncheon knives
12 hollow dinner knives
12 cocktail forks
10 bouillon soupspoons
A fish slice, soup ladle, serving fork and meat fork

4. Sterling Silver Tiffany

As one of the top sterling silver manufacturers in the world, Tiffany & Co. develops highly desired pieces and has been doing so for more than a century. The Tiffany & Co. legacy dates back to 1837, when Charles Lewis Tiffany founded a small dry-goods and stationery store in New York, and began to sell silverware in 1847. As Tiffany’s grew overtime, they created many sets, plates and sterling silver collectables that are classic, timeless and very valuable. The sterling silver Tiffany bowls are elegant and a great addition to any home collection which is why they appear as a top five most sought after antique sterling silver bowls. The larger and fancier the bowl is, the better. Also, don’t forget that monograms devalue the piece.

5. S. Kirk Repousse Landscape Pattern

The S. Kirk & Son Co. Repousse Landscape sterling silver tea set have a circular form and sit on a pedestal base. The handles are angled ram’s head and a chased floral decoration, and landscapes with figure. The beautifully decorated set includes coffee pot, creamer, and sugar bowl with lid. It features elaborate scenes with trees, castles, flowers, and birds.

A sterling silver bowl is usually priced according to its condition and craftsmanship, though pieces with a unique history may be auctioned off at much higher prices than usual. If you have any of the sterling silver bowls listed above, it is important to note that bowls in the best condition possible will fetch more money than those that appear damaged or used. Monograms also tend to devalue a set. With those notes in mind, as a leading Sarasota antique buyer, we are happy to take a look at any antique sterling silver bowls that you may have for appraisal and value. Our expert team is well-versed in many different antiques from all over the world. The expert team visit places like Nokomis, Ellenton and Bradenton once in a week to buy antique items. We buy antiques of all variety. If you want to know the value of your antiques, bring them in for appraisal and we can tell you all about the sets that you have.