Unique Vintage 10 inch tall 24oz Silver Art - Identify

[Silvers]

I do not know where to start with finding out what I have. I've read and read on this forum and others but just not seeing anything like it. I have not found any markings besides what looks like maybe a 3 and or 8 but it's very difficult to make out what it is. The base is just under 8 inches in diameter and the height is just under 10 inches. The weight isn't exact but is approximately 24 ounces. It has 3 pieces of the vine that can unscrew at the base and detach but is missing one of the 3 pieces. Beautiful detail. Sounds and feels like silver, Strong magnetic does not stick to it at all. I'm certain it's silver.

I'd like to know the maker, the age and what it is.

Hopefully the pictures show up

[Francais]

Welcome to the forum. It is highly unlikely that it is solid silver. You should look at the bottom of the feet to see if the silver plate has worn through. The base metal may be white brass, so the difference in color could be subtle. In any case if you see no base metal, it is still probably plated, so you might look into getting it tested.
As to what it is: you supplied a great number of pictures, but probably missed the most important view. It is either part of something like an epergne (tazza etc), or more likely the base of an epergne itself. You are simply missing the glass basket. There is probably a space in the top that would accept a bowl, you can be 100% sure if there is a place in the center for a stem or a more narrow part of the bowl. Believe it or not, it is not particularly fancy for a Victorian centerpiece, as some have stags, etc all over the base. The one thing that points to a side piece or part of a three piece set is its size, which could be considered small for the centerpiece.

Maurice

[Silvers]

Thank you for the information. Another person and myself looks at the feet just now and there's no noticeable color differences. No white or bronze color. What important picture is it that I left out and maybe I can add it.

Thanks again.

[Silvers]

We've had this in the family for only around 15 years and a few years ago took it around to some antique shops but no one knew anything about it. A couple of people who have looked at it said they thought it was from the late 1800's.

[dognose]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

I agree with Maurice. I've come across many of these centrepieces before, and when they're not marked, they are always plated. In fact as I write, I have an odd arm from one on my desk (not for any particular reason, just musing as to what to do with it!).

They seem to have made their first appearance around the time of the Great Exhibition in 1851, and remained popular throughout the rest of the century. Below is an advertisement from 1882 that features one:


Mappin & Webb - Sheffield - 1882

Trev.

[Silvers]

Hi dog nose… The wing nuts (wing thumb screws) used to hold the leaves on at the base look like ones I've just found from the year 1869.

Any more information anyone may have is very welcomed

[Silvers]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

I've come across many of these centrepieces before, and when they're not marked, they are always plated.

Trev.

Of course I hope it's not plated but it may be plated, I was told (may be wrong) that anything this age if it were plated would most likely be plated over nickel which would be magnetic. I've taken a powerful magnet to it and there's nothing magnetic anywhere on it. I need to take the time to have it tested.

[Francais]

Well whoever told you the story about nickel is, well, uninformed. First of all, I would imagine what he was talking about was nickel silver, an alloy that is not magnetic, and goes under many names, but is copper based.
Anyway plated silver is usually over a copper based alloy, with the exception of very poor quality plate which is over pewter, or lead based alloys. These softer alloys are sometimes used for ornate parts, as for instance, the edge of a tray. I can't think of any silver plate that would be magnetic, with the exception of close plating on spoons, for a short period of time.
I was really just trying to let you down easy, Dognose is right, it is plated.
The view I was talking about is straight down from the top, just to see if it would accept a bowl or a plate, really not necessary. You can probably judge and report better than a photo. You could maybe just try a few shapes, to judge what it originally had.

Maurice

[Silvers]

I just took it to a local antique dealer I was referred to. He said it's 1850's, plated, missing the 3rd leaf that screws on as I already knew and was 1 piece of a large set. He said it would of had candle holders and other pieces. He really liked is and said a few times, how he thought it was a really neat piece.( Admin edit see, forum rules)

[Silvers]

Since you edited my post that didn't give any info against the forum rules. I will no longer post my silver , or related info here. I thought this was going to be a nice place to open up the safes and ask questions and show some stuff but not after that.

I have a forum and a website non-silver related that is Alexa-ranked way above this one and would never edit what someone was told as long as it was clean and didn't promote anything. Wow!

Stay secluded and enjoy your little sanctuary here. LOL

[Francais]

Can we put this one in the group, Don't go away mad just GO AWAY? Wait 'till he tries the other site. I presume he discussed value. Personally I thought he was better than those who show terrible pictures, claim cataract operations, then don't like what you tell them, or promise to post better pictures in the next life.

Maurice

[Hose_dk]

Since you edited my post that didn't give any info against the forum rules.

I did read your post before any editing. And you know that you did get close to one of the forum rules. In your case I would examine what you had of information in this thread, To the best of my knowledge - you will not find another forum with the expertise given here.
And you know with Experts - they have their way of acting.

I am not an Expert - but I never give any clue of value, except I might write what I did pay for something. The case is value is not the most important :-)