Knowles 'Rose' Pattern Antique Sterling Silver Macaroni Server, Providence, RI, c.1890

This stunning serving spoon is in the uncommon and exotic pattern by Knowles known as 'Rose'. This pattern features a lovely rose vine in bloom with a beetle at the base of the handle. The reverse is engraved with a 'T' monogram. Macaroni, or pasta servers, are very rare and the bowl is exquisite. It is gilded with a soft matte finish to both sides of the bowl with pierced and engraved aesthetic movement decoration of lily pads and cattails.

According to Dale Bennett in Silver Magazine, 'With a few notable exceptions, the quality of macaroni servers declined after 1880. A striking exception is the beautiful macaroni spoons made by J.B. & S.M Knowles Company....The piercing of these pieces is the finest I have seen in macaroni servers and the teeth are in the form of beautifully engraved leaves'.(1)

This stunning server is marked on the back with Knowles' trademark, 'STERLING' and by the retailer 'J.D. HAWLEY'. It measures just over 8.5 inches long, weighs 2.05 troy ounces and is in excellent antique condition.

Endnote:

    1. Dale E. Bennett, "America's Marvelous Macaroni Servers" in Silver Magazine, July/August 2002, pp. 34-40.