need help finding out who the silversmith is and what age

[blonde_minx]

Hi, I have this lovely German combination chamberstick, match holder, i would love to know what the centre part would hold, would it be small candles on there side to use with the chamberstick, also i know this is German but dont know who this maker is or what age it is, i would be grateful for any help
Thanks

Mandy

[Bahner]

Hello, see here under Ad. Mayer:

http://www.925-1000.com/Fgerman_marks_a1884_4.html

Best wishes, Bahner

[blonde_minx]

Thank you Bahner

[Joerg]

Dear Mandy

I think this is a smoking utensil. The middle bear the cigarettes or cigars. The matches and a small candle complement the piece.

Kind regards

Jörg

[blonde_minx]

Hi Joerg
Thank you for the information, i did wonder what the centre part would have been used for , its fascinating when you look at some of these wonderful items, joerg do you think this is Art Nouveau, im not to sure of the date, i think the silversmith made pieces around that period

Mandy

[Joerg]

Hi Mandy
I am not an expert in styles, but let my try:
to answer your question about the style: The silversmith was active in the Art Nouveau period. Art Nouveau was a very short living style, starting in the late 1890, and at the outbreak of WWI it was already over. One of the key elements of art nouveau is a radical break with the previous styles, mainly Historicism which was very popular from the 1850ies onward. You recognize Art Nouveau by the use of natural forms, curved lines and flowers.
In parallel to Art Nouveau, the "traditional" Historicism style lived on until the 1920ies in Germany and much longer for example in the USA.
Even if your item is from the correct period for Art Nouveau, I would categorize your item to the Historicism style. The curved ornaments and the flowers from Art Nouveau are there, but they lack the dominance they have on Art Nouveau. So Historicism with some ideas borrowed from Art Nouveau.

Of course I am open for other opinions.


Kind regards

Jörg