George Shreve & Co Antique Sterling Silver Aesthetic Movement Vase, San Francisco, CA, c. 1880s

This magnificent vase is a stunning example of aesthetic movement silver with floral decoration of roses. The body is beautifully treated with a honeycomb hammered surface with large bold hammering that shrinks in size as it is executed up the splayed neck. The lip of the opening is strengthened by an applied wire to the interior which exhibits a hammered gilt surface.

Traveling up the vase are two applied gilt rose branches that sprout other branches with naturalistic leaves, flower buds, flowers in bloom, and even thorns. One branch extends around to the back of the vase with leaves at the end. The reverse of this wonderful floral display is engraved 'LP'.

This rare and stunning vase is marked underneath with Shreve's 'bee' mark (used 1884-94) and 'GEO. C. SHREVE & CO/ SAN FRANCISCO/ STERLING.' It measures 9.25 inches tall, weighs 24.40 troy ounces, and is in excellent antique condition with some wear to the original parcel gilding. 

Advertised for The Winter Show Online, Antiques and The Arts Weekly, January 15, 2021, 11C.