Whiting Persian Design Antique Sterling Silver Oval Centerpiece Bowl, NYC, c. 1880's

Of exceptional quality and design, this centerpiece bowl is an amazing work of art by Whiting. Applied to the top rim and edge of the base are bands of four wavy lines. Both the oval base and body have two rounded steps to give this bowl its unique form. Bold, vertical leaf decoration cover the upper section of the base and the lower section of the main body. The other two sections are covered with magnificently intricate floral and foliate design. The depth and detail of the hand chased work is stunning. The interior of the bowl is beautifully monogrammed 'DRH' in a fine foliate dot script.

This specialized and exotic work is rarely seen. We have had only one other similar example line which you can see in our archives section. It is now owned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Another example is a three piece tea set, with the same decoration, in the collection of the Dallas Museum of Art.(1)

This rare centerpiece bowl is marked underneath with Whiting's trademark and 'STERLING/ 1035/ C'. It measures 11 inches long by 8 inches wide by 4.75 inches high, weighs 24.75 troy ounces and is in excellent antique condition.

Endnote:

1. Charles L. Venable, Silver in America 1840-1940 A Century of Splendor, Dallas Museum of Art, 1994, p. 130.