Up for sale is a very unique and rare piece of early American silver. For your consideration is a very attractive hand-made decorative bowl that date back to the 1880s. This scarce piece is from the Aesthetic Movement period when silver objects were created for aesthetic pleasure, often inspired by nature. Beautifully crafted in Trompe-l'œil style, this floral embossed oval bowl stands on three feet shaped as tree branches having a small bird on one of them. The bird itself has incredible details including very realistic looking glass eyes. This truly charming piece was made by Hartford Silver Plate Company. The following excerpt was taken from their ad in 1893:

'"The Cry is Still They Come". This is true of the Hartford Silver Plate Co.'s novelties. It is rare accomplishment when one is able to take common things which lie about, and transform them into works of art. We claim to have succeeded on this line'

The Hartford Silver Plate Company was a short-lived manufacturer of electroplated holloware located in Hartford, Connecticut, mainly specializing in novelties and operating from roughly 1881 to 1893. It was absorbed by the Barbour Silver Company in 1893, which itself became a part of the International Silver Company in 1898. The company produced items, such as quadrupled silverplate, and its machinery was later purchased and installed by the Biggins-Rodgers Company in Wallingford, Connecticut. This lovely bowl measures 7 1/4" in length, 6 1/2" wide and 5 1/4" tall. In very good antique condition for being about 140 years old. There is one barely noticeable crack to one of the branches (shown in the last picture) that does not detract from its beauty. Please see the pictures for more details. No returns accepted, so please ask questions before purchasing