posted 11-07-2002 12:40 PM            

Here is a really weird piece I picked up this past weekend at the Modernism Show in Winnetka, IL. The dealer, a well known name in European modern silver, had never seen anything else quite like it.

The piece is about 6 inches long, with a shallow bowl about 2 3/8 inches across. The weird thing is the handle, which takes off sideways from the bowl at about a 45 degree angle before curling back in a whiplash. This handle makes it almost impossible to handle the piece gracefully with the right hand. It does, however, work fairly well in the left hand, as shown. Could this piece be designed for a left-handed user? Or maybe it is simply a case of style being more important to the designer than practicality.

Historical Design, a great shop in NYC, did an exhibit of zoomorphic decorative arts not long ago. Included it the exhibit was a silver server or two shaped like stingrays, with the bowl being the body of the ray and the tail forming the handle. To me, this piece seems like it may be an abstraction of the same concept.

Finally, can anyone identify the mark on this piece? The 830S mark often appears on early 20th C Danish silver, but it could be another Scandinavian country as well. The mark appears to be an A and an M overlaid on one another; it is maddeningly familiar, but I can't seem to place it. An early A. Michelsen mark perhaps?

I would welcome any comments or ideas about the origin or intentions of thei piece.

posted 12-23-2002 02:10 PM            

Fabulous spoon! Never seen the shape before, but it's wonderful (does seem to fit well in the left hand). I've collected Scandinavian silver for years and have run across the mark before and had the same problem in identifying the maker. Recently bought a gorgeous serving spoon for my Mom with the same mark and the name M.Aase. Aha - the "MA" mystery solved! Unfortunately, have had no luck in finding any more info on the maker (half the fun is in the research!). Suspect that it's a Norwegian silversmith (they also use the "S" after 830 or 925), but your piece certainly has that Danish/Jensen feel to it. Would love to know if you find out any more about it.

Happy Holidays!

posted 01-05-2003 03:20 PM            

Cheryl

quote:

---

From 931150526:
Vintage Norway / Norwegian Sterling Silver Spoon with Lion. Large Spoon with open work design to the handle. Rampant Lion within the scrollwork. Stamped "830S NM M.AASE". There is a makers logo just after the sterling numbers that is to hard to make out. Measures 7-3/8"L x 2-1/16"W

---

posted 01-06-2003 12:06 PM            

Please forgive me for not responding more quickly; I appreciate your interest. I'm sure that M. Aase is the maker, as you have already concluded. I am equally in the dark as to who he was and when he worked, though. I will certainly let you know if I ever turn up any info on him.

Thanks again!