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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 20th/21st Century Silversmiths
 A neat modernist whatzit!
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| Author | Topic: A neat modernist whatzit! |
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Brent Posts: 1507 |
posted 07-13-2007 06:15 PM
  
   Hello all, Here is an item that has me a bit stumped. It is about 7 1/2" tall and 6 1/4 inches in diameter, shaped roughly like a chalice and very heavy. The piece is put together in sections with a threaded rod down the middle and secured with a screw through the bottom of the base. It has a tiny STERLING stamp on the edge of the base, BUT some overaggressive polishing has left a copper spot on the bowl section, so that part at least is definitely plated. The defining characteristic, though, is the domed bit with two sharp points at the bottom of the bowl. My first thought was candlestick, since some sticks for large candles do use prickets rather than sockets. Indeed, it would work as a candlestick. On the other hand, the original owner said that her mother always used it to serve shrimp cocktail! I was think it also might work as a cheese ball holder. The owner was quite well to do, and I don't think this was a a cheap item originally, sterling or otherwise. Stylistically it looks like something you might see from Cartier, at least to my eyes. Does anyone know what this is supposed to be? Brent IP: Logged |
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FredZ Posts: 1070 |
posted 07-13-2007 06:42 PM
The sharp points look as though they are there to keep something from turning in the bowl. I fear I can not contribute anything else to solving this mystery Fred IP: Logged |
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jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 07-13-2007 08:18 PM
Hello Brent! First off, it is a very stunning piece! Aside from many things it could be used for, my thoughts go towards a fruit, or ice cream difficult to manage (sliding around) while eating unless secured, therefore the spikes. My other idea is that at some point there may have been another piece that would contain a sauce for dipping such as for a shrimp cocktail, and that was secured by the spikes but making them removable for washing separately. Just as a fun thought, the spikes are there so you would clean it very, very carefully! It also sounds like a piece our moderator Paul might be more inclined to know about. In any event thank you for sharing it with us. Hope you find the correct answer. That's my 3 cents worth! Thanks for listening. Enjoy the Day! Jersey IP: Logged |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 07-14-2007 12:11 AM
I suppose it could be a modern version of a grapefruit cup. IP: Logged |
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Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
posted 07-19-2007 12:08 AM
Seeing those spikes makes me sure it was meant to hold some sort of fruit. I have had Victorian pieces of similar shape and size, also with spikes in the bowl, that were orange holders (this is verified by period catalogs). So I have to agree with Scott that this was made for grapefruit or some other citrus fruit. I really don't know what else it could be for. IP: Logged |
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FWG Posts: 845 |
posted 07-19-2007 11:31 AM
Maybe it's for a bezoar. Just kidding, but I was just looking at some silver vessels with holders for bezoars (in a book; they include pieces recovered from the Atocha). For anyone not familiar, that's an digestive tract stone from some animals that was believed to be a universal antidote to poisons. It's the first thing that came to my mind when I saw this piece, but not only is it too late, the holders were a different style for bezoars. I do believe this is for citrus fruit. IP: Logged |
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June Martin Forum Master Posts: 1326 |
posted 07-22-2007 12:21 PM
The 6 1/4 inch diameter makes me think it might be to hold melon. Came to mind as I was struggling with my cantaloupe this morning. [This message has been edited by June Martin (edited 07-22-2007).] IP: Logged |
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