Dragsted Arts & Crafts Figural Centerpiece or Punch Bowl, Copenhagen, 1919

This rare and impressive centerpiece is formed as a flaring bowl with fluted panels decorated with lovely overall hammering.

An attached shaped ring to the underside of the bowl is supported on the tails of four beautiful sea creatures. Small shells are applied around the top edge above an exceptional border of various fish swimming amongst waves.

The use of nautical inspiration on this arts & crafts bowl is quite intriguing. The shaped sides, the sea creatures with turned profiles and the shaped rim with fish swimming through undulating seas gives the bowl wonderful movement.

Arent Nikolaj Dragsted (1821-1898) opened his workshop in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1854. Dragsted took part in the world exhibition in London in 1862 and soon advanced to become royal court jeweler and goldsmith. He was guild master of the goldsmiths from 1880 until his death. His sons Frantz (from 1898-1916) and Alfred Dragsted (until 1918) succeeded him both in this office and as owners of the firm. (1) 

This lovely centerpiece is marked 'A. DRAGSTED/ KJOBFNHAVN'. It is also stamped with the assayer's mark of CF Heise and the Copenhagen city mark with 19 for 1919. It measures 6 inches high by 13.5 inches in diameter, weighs 57.50 troy ounces and is in very good antique condition.

Endnote:

1. Dedo von Kerssenbrock-Krosigk, Modern Art of Metalwork - Broehan Museum (Leipzig, Klingenberg Buchkunst, 2001), p. 40.