Name/Title
German Sterling Silver Tea ServiceContext
German Sterling Silver Tea Service in the Rococo style. The Hallmarks on the service (encircled letters : WH/H) cannot be identified but it is indicated in German that it is "handmade" (Handarbeit) "Sterling Silver 925" which confirms a German provenance and production.
During the second half of the 19th-century, a new fashion inspired by antique styles such as Medieval, Classical or Baroque widespread in Europe and influenced revivals in architecture, fine art and decorative art.
In Germany this manner became particularly popular and was known as Historism, consisting in copying or re-elaborating historic styles. The historicist style had a huge impact on the decorative arts, and particularly on silverware.
This tea service presents an elaborate recreation of the 18th-century Rokoko art created with repoussé, a metalworking technique in which a malleable metal is shaped by hammering from the reverse side to create a design in low relief. The Rokoko designs are characterized by their asymmetrical forms and cartouches with scrollwork as well as an abundant floral ornamentation.Acquisition
Accession
1992.01Source or Donor
Mrs. W. Foster Gillespie (Gertrude Miller)Acquisition Method
Gift