Arthur Stone Arts & Crafts Sterling Silver Decorated Bowl, Gardner, Massachusetts, 1909-19

Examples of decorated sterling from the shop of Arthur Stone are quite scarce and always interesting. Beautifully proportioned, this small bowl is a wonderful example of hand raised silver. It has a hand-drawn applied band around the rim, a complementary banded foot and features the lovely soft hammered surface typical of Stone's shop. Rising up from the base are six exquisite decorative strap work elements. The precise chasing resemble Celtic knots.

Digital photos cannot show the subtle details of the chased decoration. The areas between the strap work are chased with a hammered surface that beautifully contrasts with the flat surface of the strap work.

The underside is monogrammed 'M.D.T'.

Arthur Stone was the undisputed master silversmith of the Boston arts and crafts movement. His shop produced some of the finest silver ever made, and many of the journeymen who worked for him were masters in their own right. Unlike other shops, Stone allowed his journeymen to mark their work. In this case, David Carlson raised this piece and Stone decorated it. Carlson worked for Stone from 1909-19 and achieved 'Master Craftsman' status bestowed by the Society of Arts & Crafts, Boston.

Early exhibition records of Stone's silver include references to 'Celtic' decoration. This is likely that design.

This bowl is marked underneath with the Stone trademark, 'STERLING', and Carlson's 'C' mark. It measures 5.25 inches in diameter by 2 inches high,weighs 6.65 troy ounces and is in excellent antique condition.