What the heck is this? Austrian-Diana Head &Pitcher Hall

[badberrys]

Hi, I found this in an Antique Store, to quote the Owner "It's not marked Sterling so it isn't Sterling.." I Beg to Differ.. 5 Lobe Diana Head Stamp in three Locations with a 3&A, and a Pitcher/Jug/Ewer Stamp in a Rectangular Lozenge There is an additional Stamp but I can't make it out...smaller than the others possibly a 'C' or an 'O' the under side of the plate appears to be signed but there is a structural 'Cross-member' that obscures it and can't be removed. My question, what would this serving Piece be used for..? Donuts?..Bagels?..BIG Bagels?..peculiar. and the 'Pitcher' Hallmark, any Ideas who in Vienna used this Mark? Thanks.

[2209patrick]

Hello.
The Diana head mark indicates a fineness of .800.
The pitcher mark was used by Eduard Friedmann, Vienna, Austria (1877-1920).



Pat.

[admin]

"It's not marked Sterling so it isn't Sterling.."

The owner was correct, at least concerning this piece. It is .800 silver not Sterling (.925).
By the way, beautiful piece, Friedman had some exceptional designers including Otto Prutscher, Josef Margold and Hans Bolek. This piece certainly deserves further research.

Regards, Tom

[badberrys]

Hi Tom et al, tracked Eduard Friedmann's mark down and sure enough, the Pitcher Hallmark matched. In my first message I mentioned that the Piece had a Signature under a 'Cross-Member', as I look at it, it looks somewhat like the Logo of the 'Wiener-Werkstette'..bunch of W's..then again it may be just a Mar of some sort. I think this is a transitional piece, -obviously hand Chased, very Nouveau organic smooth features on the Dish part and very hard Deco Geometry on the Base...and then the very (ahem) Phallic, Freudian central structure (wasn't Freud in Vienna about that Time?)..pretty interesting Combination..amusing... thanks again for the Help. B-

[Bahner]

Hello, the style of the piece is transitional in so far as it combines elements of floral Viennese art nouveau and of strictly geometrical Viennese art nouveau. It can be dated around 1905, give or take a few. In view of the Freudian aspects of the design (yes, Freud was in Vienna until 1938), it should be noted that this is a stand especially for fruits (no pun intended). Best wishes, Bahner

[charles-edwards]

hi ! i do own a veryyyyyyyyy similar piece :-)
greetings from austria