Silver Plated Pedestal Sweetmeat Bowl with Pierced Gallery and Lion Handles

Silver plated pedestal bowl of elongated oval form.
Pierced gallery with geometric decoration.
Applied lion-mask mounts with suspended ring handles.
Rope-pattern borders around the rim and foot.

Approximate dimensions

Length – 142mm (5.6")

Condition

The silver-plated surface has tarnishing, dark spotting and areas of surface marking, particularly beneath the foot and within the recessed underside. It may be polished if preferred.

Description

A silver-plated metal sweetmeat or serving bowl of elongated oval form, raised on a short central pedestal and broad oval foot.

The deep bowl has smoothly rounded sides and a curved upper outline that rises towards the pointed ends. A broad projecting rim follows the shape of the vessel and is edged with a continuous rope-pattern moulding.

The upper part of the bowl is formed as a pierced gallery. Closely spaced vertical rectangular openings are bordered above and below by repeated arrowhead- or heart-shaped cut-outs. Small pierced rosette motifs are positioned at intervals around the gallery.

Each end is fitted with an applied lion-mask mount modelled in relief with defined facial features and a flowing mane. A freely suspended circular ring passes through the mouth of each mask to form a drop handle.

The plain rounded lower body narrows into a small collar above a short waisted stem. This expands into a shallow domed oval foot edged with a rope-pattern border corresponding to that around the rim.

The interior is smoothly dished and enclosed by the openwork gallery. The underside of the pedestal is recessed and has a circular central attachment point.

Pedestal sweetmeat bowls of this form were used for serving confectionery, nuts or small desserts at the dining table. Pierced galleries, lion-mask handles and classical pedestal forms were particularly associated with late Victorian and Edwardian revival-style tableware. It could also be used as a small fruit bowl or decorative table container.

Object Type: Sweetmeat Bowl
Age: 1900–1940
Era / Period: Edwardian Revival
Material: Silver-Plated Metal
Finish: Polished
Production Technique: Raised and Assembled
Decoration Technique: Pierced and Applied
Pattern: Geometric Pierced Gallery
Style: Neoclassical Revival

Pedestal Sweetmeat Bowl Silver Plated Pierced Lion Mask Ring Handles