Featured Please help identifying Sterling bowl.

Hello,

This bowl is 9" in diameter, weights 218 gr and it is marked only Sterling on the bottom. I would like some information regarding its use, time period snd its potential value. It has a couple of very small things not really visible.

Thank you very much in advance
Luvy

Top view by LUCY posted Jan 6, 2018 at 9:00 PM

Border detail by LUCY posted Jan 6, 2018 at 9:00 PM

Only marked Sterling by LUCY posted Jan 6, 2018 at 9:00 PM

Side view by LUCY posted Jan 6, 2018 at 9:00 PM

 

Something sat in the center, maybe a glass dish of some sort.

 

Thank you!

 

Do you know what the design is? or from when?

 

Sorry I don't
I often think that style of the word "Sterling" is 1950s or later - but that's just me thinking. Which isn't always correct.

@Bakersgma

 

Hi, Lucy!

Unfortunately, since your pretty bowl doesn't have a maker's name on it, it will probably be rather hard to ID. Unless someone recognizes the pattern, you may never know for certain. (It very well may not match any named flatware pattern, and many companies didn't "bother" to name their hollow ware patterns.)

When I see just the STERLING mark & no maker's name, I always think first of the "smaller" silver companies... I did a minimal amount of checking just now, and I didn't find your pattern (altho that certainly doesn't mean it's not out there somewhere.)

In any case, there is not as much interest in silver for USE as there once was; MANY people simply buy it for melt value & send it off to the smelter...

Based on the weight you've given, I believe the melt value would be in the $110-$115 USD range. My best guess is that there won't be a lot of buyers out there expecting or willing to pay more.

 

Thank you that is very helpful. I was not aware of all the information you provided.

You are very kind.

Lucy

 

That is a gorgeous bowl! I say polish it, and love it!

 

Very nice and too big of a piece to be part of a tea set. The rim design is very cool, I would say look into Hebrew or Jewish faith. Maybe it's part of a holy service or something. good luck!

 

I don't see anything religious about that design. I would also guess mid-1900's or so based on the font used for sterling and the way the decorated edge is done.

@LUCY You mentioned "a couple very small things." Do you mean possible marks on the underside?

 

hi, nice bowl. It appears the motifs are olive branches around the rim. The only religious use I could imagine would be If it held a shabbos candleholder in the center. (Jewish). Olive branches go back to the time of Noah and the ark and symbolize peace. just my opinion.

 

In fact I am almost certain that is what it is. Also shabbos candles are traditionally lit by the women of the house every weekend on Shabbat (Friday night to Saturday night) so these would be common when silver was less expensive.

 

Like Bakers, I simply don't see anything religious about this bowl. It is lovely, however.

I have several sterling bowls & plates, myself - with various border designs - floral, Greek key, swags, etc - and to me, this one just seems to fit the genre.

 

Thank you. No just dings from wear. I looked closely for additional markings.

 

Nothing on the underside. Just dings from use.

 

As already said, there isn't any religious connection - it appears to be mid 20th century, and at that size and shape was most likely sold as a vegetable dish/bowl, there may have originally been a label with the manufacturer's or retailer's name. Here's an International Silver 'Prelude' pattern piece of similar size and shape: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nice-Vintage-International-Sterling-Silver-Prelude-9inch-Vegetable-Bowl-/173043413804

~Cheryl

 

wine bottle coaster.......maybe....eh eh .....?

 

It's difficult to make out from the photos how deep it is, but it appears to me to be more like a saucer than a bowl. Had it been oval I would have suggested that it was the base of a matching gravy boat. Perhaps it was the base of a silver jug?

If you're not going to sell it for melting, once polished up it might be repurposed for serving chocolates, or as a wine coaster, or base for a crystal vase full of flowers.

 

At 9" that is would be big bottle of wine

 

Not sure why folks are wanting this piece to be something other than what it is. The last pic shows the depth and curved walls - it's a fairly common 9" serving bowl, usually used for vegetables, and typically shallow (probably somewhere around 2-1/2" deep for this size bowl)...

Images found for 9" sterling vegetable bowl:
https://www.google.com/search?tbm=i...4.mobile-gws-img..1.2.165.3...205.uBAfr3L4cCE

~Cheryl