Bailey, Banks & Biddle Art Nouveau Sterling Punch Bowl, Philadelphia, PA, 1906

Large, bold rose flowers, buds, foliage and branches are cast and applied over the upper body and foot of this large punch bowl. Seamlessly intertwined with repoussé decoration, this design moves fluidly all over the bowl. The details are dramatic: flowers are nearly 3/4 of an inch deep, the rim of the bowl conforms to the rose branches and flowers along the upper edge, the foot is pierced to give added lightness and depth to the design.

The hand chased details are superb.

One side of the bowl is monogrammed and inscribed 'FB' (for Felton Bent) in an artistic script above 'May 31, 1906' in smaller block letters. Engraved below are 6 names: Edward A. Watson, Irving McD. Garfield, Herbert Seymour Darlington, Quincy Bent, Ernest L. Brundrett and Charles C. Townsend. Clearly a very special day from very special friends.

Measuring 13 inches in diameter (14 if you include the roses), and 9 inches high, this bowl is massive. It weighs approximately 75 troy ounces and is in excellent condition, retaining the original parcel gilt on the inside of the bowl (lightly scratched from use) . It is marked underneath with the Bailey, Banks & Biddle trademark, 'Bailey, Banks & Biddle Company', '925/1000' the model number '4627', and '20 PINTS'. That's a lot of punch.

Provenance: This comes from the Felton (Bent) family of Philadelphia.