The Kalo Shop Arts & Crafts Sterling Silver Centerpiece Bowl, Chicago, IL, c. 1920's

This beautiful centerpiece bowl is an uncommon form with wonderful design, size, weight and quality. The bulbous body is decorated with bold, incised lines creating tapered lobing. The shaped rim has an applied band. A similar applied wire band is also used around the base of the pedestal foot. A lovely cut and applied intertwined 'LPS' monogram beautifully decorates the side of the bowl. Stunning hammering to the surface makes the bowl shimmer.

The Kalo Shop is known for its hammered surfaces and creative, forward looking arts & crafts designs. It was started by Clara Barck Welles who was 'known for her fair employment practices and for giving opportunities to women to become metalsmiths'.(1)

This rare centerpiece is marked 'STERLING/ HAND WROUGHT/ AT/ THE KALO SHOP/ M85'. It measures 9.75 in diameter by 3.75 inches high, weighs a very impressive 24.55 troy ounces and is in very good antique condition.

Endnote:

1. Sharon S. Darling, Chicago Metalsmiths, (Chicago: Chicago Historical Society, 1977), p. 48.