Just a bud vase

or something to do with table setting?

 

How tall?

And are there no marks anywhere?

 

Because I don't have the measurements (especially the size of the opening at the top), this is a wild-eyed guess but . . .

Is it possible it is a standing "carving knife sheath/case"? My guess is that it probably was not on the dining table during a meal. More likely, IMHO, it was situated on a sideboard in the dining room during a meal.

 

About 8 inches tall overall, maybe 6-1/2 inside

925 ITALY

 

It does seem an odd shape for a bud vase, but there are 2 reasons why I don't think it's a "carving knife sheath."

Now that we know how long an object would fit inside, it's not long enough IMHO to have the blade inside such that the handle grip would rest on the top edge. (Any longer and frankly the thing would topple over with the weight of the handle.)

The other reason has to do with the metal-on-metal contact, thus dulling the blade.

 

I found a better mark hidden in the design

 

It is relatively modern so no need to go fishing around in Victorian/Edwardian table practices. I'm older than that vase and I'm plumping for vase.

 

Since about 1968. the required Italian registration mark has been a rectangular shape with pointy ends and, inside from left to right, an open star, number and 2-letter provincial designation. This should accompany the 925 in an oval and the optional maker mark. Do you see anything like that? I can't read the script maker name and can't find out what it says without the province and number.

It's growing on me.

 

I like the design. First word looks like Frommans to me.

 

gianmaria buccellati

 

Is that it? I agree on the Bucellati. Looks like you got something real nice.

 

Buccellati makes some fine silver (and they tend toward novelty items as well) and some very fine jewelry. Been around for quite a while too.

 

Very good, Terry!

 

This was at an estate sale I just ran across. I couldn't find any advertising for them anywhere. They were asking $150 for $20 chairs. This was $10, the Birks bowls were $5.

 

You may not be so far off on knife holder.

Check Buccellati Italian Sterling tableware
http://www.atkinsonsofvancouver.com/brands/buccellati.html?gclid=CJ6GuIeNi78CFW4Q7AodlnkAlg

 

I love it! I vote bud vase. Thanks for the link, Bev. I have a canape set by Buccellati - didn't know it had a pattern name. "Empire".

(Silver, if you read this thread, I can't wait to show you the litter of 3 week old Springer puppies, I've taken lots of pics, but I'm on my laptop and barely know how to turn it on).

 

Did they ever use anything like this on desk sets for letter openers?

 

Beautiful piece, Terry.

 

Wow. Nice stuff!

 

Terry, you "posed" the object on what appears to be a flannel silver-storage bag. Was the item in question inside/with that flannel bag when you bought it? What does the lettering on that flannel bag say?

say_it_slowly said: "Did they ever use anything like this on desk sets for letter openers?"

I think you may have hit on it, SIS. It would be a pretty and practical accessory to hold a letter opener on a lady's desk.