Modern Sterling Silver
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Modern 20th Century Sterling Silver Watering Can - London 1991
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1991 by Whitehill Silver & Plate Company, this attractive, Sterling Silver Watering Can, would make an ideal piece...
Category
1990s English Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Unusual Sterling Silver Champagne Cooler
Located in New York, NY
A sterling silver champagne cooler designed by Borek Sipek for Cleto Munari.
Hand hammered sterling silver with gold-plated handles....
Category
1990s Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Milanese Sterling Silver 20th Century Fountain Centrepiece
Located in London, GB
A Milanese sterling silver 20th century fountain centrepiece
Measures: Height: 33cm, width: 47cm, depth: 42cm.
This stunning centrepiece is an Italian sterling silver fountain, made in Milan in the twentieth century. The piece, set on fish-shaped legs, and decorated with mythical sea-monsters from whose mouths the water flows, consists of a rectangular shaped basin divided into four shell-shaped quadrants which are adorned with small silver crabs. A smaller basin...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
21st Century Italian Sterling Silver Chalice
Located in VALENZA, IT
Solid sterling silver liturgical chalice, completely handmade.
The base is hammered and embossed with arched motifs that facilitate its grip. The mi...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
$3,338 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Comedy & Tragedy Mask Bookmark or Paperclip
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed bookmark or paperclip.
In sterling silver.
By Tiffany & Co.
In the form of comedy & tragedy masks.
Together with its original pouch.
Simply a wonderful Tiffany des...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Sterling Water Pitcher by Juvento Lopez Reyes Mexico
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960s, Sterling, by Juvento Lopez Reyes, Mexico. This hyper- modern water pitcher features a curvilinear handle, elongated everted rim and ...
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Emilia Castillo Sterling Silver & Volcanic Stone Molcajete with Spoon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Emilia Castillo Sterling Silver & Volcanic Stone Molcajete with Spoon, Mexico, Later 20th Century
A sterling silver and volcanic stone molcajete (mortar) set is a functional sculptural object that bridges traditional craftsmanship and modern luxury. The handmade serving piece is modeled after the ancient Mesoamerican molcajete, traditionally used for grinding spices and preparing salsa or guacamole. Castillo’s refined interpretation elevates the form with a hammered sterling silver bowl adorned with bold silver orbs encircling the rim, paired with a substantial curved-handled sterling silver spoon. The inner bowl rests within a hand-carved, tripod-footed volcanic stone base, offering both contrast and stability.
This sculptural piece draws inspiration from the traditional Mexican molcajete...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Stone, Sterling Silver
Pair of Saltcellar and Pepperpot, Christofle house, 20th Century
By Christofle
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of Saltcellar and Pepperpot, Christofle house, 20th century"
Pair of Christofle silver plated salt and pepper shakers with ...
Category
20th Century French Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Metal
Highly Unusual Silver Toast or Letter Rack Designed and Made by Grant McDonald
Located in London, GB
A beautifully designed sterling silver letter or toast rack, made by the renowned silversmith George Grant McDonald, and hallmarked for London 2007.
This lovely piece is particularl...
Category
Early 2000s English Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
A set of four sterling silver crab-form boxes by Buccellati
Located in London, GB
A set of four sterling silver crab-form boxes by Buccellati
Italian, 20th Century
Height 5cm, width 11cm, depth 7cm
Crafted by Mabuti in Milan, Italy, and...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Coral, Silver, Sterling Silver
Leonore Doskow Two Sterling Silver Knifes, Butter/Chesse and Serving, Modern
By Leonore Doskow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great design in these two knifes, both marked Leonore Doskow, and large also marked. Handmade sterling. This shape is a well known design by the artist. The butter/cheese is 6.75 and...
Category
20th Century Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Scandinavian Modern Sterling Silver bracelet by Isaac Cohen with green stone.
By Isaac Cohen
Located in Oirlo, LI
Scandinavian Modern Sterling Silver bracelet by Isaac Cohen with green stone.
Beautiful slim bracelet with beautiful green stone.
The bracelet is also signed, see the photo.
Isaac...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Peruvian Modernistic Sterling Silver Coffee Service Set
Located in Atlanta, GA
A sterling silver coffee service set consists of six pieces: a coffee pot, a chocolate pot, a covered sugar bowl with a serving spoon, a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Peruvian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Handcrafted Sterling Silver Artichoke Salt Shaker and Pepper Mill by Missiaglia
Located in New York, NY
Established in Venice in 1846, Missiaglia is one of the world's premier makers of the finest jewelry objects, as well as a select number of bespoke sterling silver tabletop accessori...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Cartier Letter Opener Sterling Original Box ca' 1970's
By Cartier
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An elegant letter opener by Cartier ca' 1970's. Sterling handle, made in Italy, original box and wrapping.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Metal, Sterling Silver
Jade by Contempra House Towle Sterling Silver Flatware Set 42 Pieces Modernism
Located in Big Bend, WI
Jade plain by Contempra House (division of Towle) sterling silver flatware set of 42 pieces. This pattern was designed by noted Modernist midcentury designer, Earl Pardon, in the yea...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Caravel Sterling Silverware Set
Located in Hellerup, DK
A complete vintage Georg Jensen sterling silverware service for twelve in the Caravel pattern, designed by Henning Koppel in 1957. Known for its modern, minimalist style, the Caravel...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
$14,948 / set
Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Grape Tazza Dish 296 E
By Georg Jensen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elevate your fruit with this small tazza from Georg Jensen’s grape series.
Designed by Georg Jensen in 1916,
Produced in Denmark with post-1945 marks.
Very good condition.
Surface ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Modern Sterling Silver Olive Spoon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This sterling silver Olive Spoon is used to serve olives without them drying out. An elegant touch to serving the savory fruit of the Mediterranean, it will elevate any Taking a note from historical dining when each guest would have an individual utensil for olives during an olive course, this update allows you to serve olives in any form.
Fabricated in sterling silver and then finished by hand in his Brooklyn, NY studio, this piece is the creation of silversmith and jewelry designer Heath Wagoner...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
$195 / item
Cigarette case black in the shape of a packet. Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Cigarette case in the shape of a packet of long cigarettes in 925/1000 sterling silver with black fired enamel in Art Deco style, early 1900s. With lost hinge, i.e. semi-invisible. ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Table box Four-leaf clover fired enamel on a radial guilloché Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Four-leaf clover shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on a radial guilloché. Modern contemporary style. Dimensions cm. 17 x 17 x 3.5...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
A Silver Mezuzah Holder by Arie Ofir, Israel Circa 2000
By Arie Ofir
Located in New York, NY
A Modern Silver Mezuzah Holder by Arie Ofir made in Israel Circa 2000.
Mezuzah holder is made in a modern style by the Jewish artist Arie Ofir in Israel at the turn of the 21st cent...
Category
Early 2000s Israeli Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Fine Pair Modernist Silver Cufflinks by Brian Leslie Fuller - 1988
Located in Bath, GB
A fine pair of modernist / brutalist solid silver cufflinks by the highly collectable Brian Leslie Fuller. Each is fully hallmarked for London 1988 together with the makers mark.
T...
Category
1980s British Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Elsa Peretti for Tiffany Sterling Silver Padova Pattern Baby or Infant Spoon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed silver feeding spoon.
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
In sterling silver.
In the Padova pattern.
Together with its original pouch and box.
Simply wonderful Tiff...
Category
20th Century Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Dunhill, gas Butane "Sylph"Sterling Silver Slim lighter, diamond pattern .
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice and luxury lighter by the well known UK Dunhill Ltd. company .This was crafted in the Paris, France studio . Marked 925, also AD marks, diamond pat...
Category
20th Century French Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
.800 Silver Miniature Artist Easel & Modern Painting Trompe l'oeil Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
.800 Silver Miniature Artist Easel and Modern Painting Trompe l'Oeil Sculpture
Italy, Later 20th Century
A tour de force of miniature silver scu...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
$556 Sale Price
20% Off
Box shaped “quadri” playing card suit red fired Art Deco style Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Box shaped like a “quadri” playing card suit in 925/1000 sterling silver with red fired enamel in Art Deco style, early 1900s. With internal hinge. Dimensions cm. 10.4 x 12.3 x 1.8. ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Mardi Jo Cohen Sterling Silver 'Delectable' Fork and 'Scrumptious' Serving Spoon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine, signed benchmade serving spoon and fork.
By Mardi Jo Cohen.
In sterling silver with a strong Memphis School and Pop Art design influence.
The spoon's handle with an emboss...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pampaloni of Florence Italian Modernist Silver Candlestick
By Pampaloni
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A exceptional quality and heavy gauge Italian silver modernist twin candlestick by Pampaloni of Florence with London silver import marks for 2003. The candlestick stands on thick flat rounded base with a narrow rounded column stem supporting a undulating asymmetrical silver strip mounted with two rounded candle sconces...
Category
Early 2000s European Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Handcrafted Sterling Silver Seashell Salt Shaker & Pepper Mill Signed Missiaglia
Located in New York, NY
Established in Venice in 1846, Missiaglia is one of the world's premier makers of the finest jewelry objects, as well as a select number of bespoke sterling silver tabletop accessories. This handcrafted stylized conch shell shaker...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Table Box Heart shape Red passion fire-enameled on guilloche Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Heart-shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold-plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché above and below. Modern contemporary style. Dimensions cm. 8.8 x 8 cm high....
Category
1990s Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
BIRKS - Set of Four Sterling Silver & Cut Glass Coasters - Canada - 20th Century
By Henry Birks
Located in Chatham, ON
BIRKS - Set of four fine quality sterling silver and cut glass coasters - featuring a stackable design with wheel cut glass inserts - signed BIRKS S...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
$276 Sale Price
30% Off
Box shaped “spade” playing card suit black fired Art Deco style Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Box shaped like a “spade” playing card suit in 925/1000 silver with black fired enamel in Art Deco style, early 1900s. With internal hinge. Dimensions cm. 9.5 x 10.7 x 1.8. Weight gr...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Set of 9 Figural Sterling Silver Napkin Rings, Taxco School, Mexico, Mid-20th C.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of 9 Figural Sterling Silver Napkin Rings, Taxco School, Mexico, Mid-20th Century
A whimsical and sculptural set of nine hand-wrought sterling silver figural napkin rings, attri...
Category
20th Century Mexican Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Stone, Sterling Silver
Pair of Vintage Tiffany & Co. Gilt Sterling Silver Rose Bud Placecard Holders
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of fine signed Italian gilt silver placecard holders.
By Tiffany & Co.
In gilt sterling silver.
Each in the form of a rosebud with leaves and stem.
Fully marked to the rev...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Mary Dunhill English Sterling Silver Funnel
By Dunhill
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful sterling silver funnel from luxury maker Dunhill, by Mary Dunhill, circa early-20th century, London, England. As marked: "Mary Dunhill", "Ste...
Category
Early 20th Century English Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Honey Pots
Located in London, GB
Two English sterling silver and glass honey pots with matching spoons, each fitted with a silver cover surmounted by a bee finial, hallmarked London 2003 and 2006 by Braybrook & Brit...
Category
Early 2000s British Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
$2,058
Scale Model Vintage Sterling Silver Mercedes 500 K, circa 1980
Located in Bath, GB
Beautifully executed along with it's original solid wooden plinth. Both the sterling silver label and the car have matching hallmarked for 925 silver and the Italian maker mark numbe...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
$5,278 Sale Price
20% Off
Box shaped “flowers” playing card suit black fired Art Deco style Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Box shaped like a “flowers” playing card suit in 925/1000 sterling silver with black fired enamel in Art Deco style, early 1900s. With lost hinge, i.e. semi-invisible. Dimensions cm....
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Handwrought Sterling Silver Puffer Fish Salt Shaker and Pepper Mill, Missiaglia
Located in New York, NY
Established in Venice in 1846, Missiaglia is one of the world's premier makers of the finest jewelry objects, as well as a select number of bespoke sterling silver tabletop accessories. This handcrafted puffer salt Shaker and pepper mill showcase the skill and impeccable craftsmanship of Missiaglia's artisans. Each puffer fish features a hand-hammered dappled skein with an abundance of protruding conical spikes, as well as striated dorsal, tail and pectoral fins. Their whimsically refined faces offer stylized eyes consisting of concentric circular forms with a concave depression at centre, and an ovoid mouth with protuberant lips. The larger vessel holds pepper- artfully concealed within the body of the piece- which is ground by rotating the tail fin. The salt Shaker has an abundance of holes adorning the forehead of the smaller puffer...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Silver Globe Vase, ceased and embossed by hand.
By Mario Vallè
Located in VALENZA, IT
Vase in 800 solid silver.
The round body, made entirely by hand from a flat silver plate and subsequently rounded giving it the characteristic ball shape.
A twisted spiral chiseling ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Picture Frame Enamel two-tone ruby red and emerald green Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver, with translucent fired enamel stripes on guilloche, two-tone ruby red and emerald green, in a modern contemporary sty...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Small Picture Frame Round English style, early 1900s. Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Small round frame with flat edge in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloche, English style, early 1900s. External diameter cm. 7.2, internal c...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Cornucopia flower holder in silver. Punches
Located in Lugo, IT
Cornucopia silver flower holder.
Possible AL hallmarks Valencia area.
Defect, lines as per photo
Good condition.
Thanks
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Table Box Heart shape Sky tone fire-enameled on guilloche Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Heart-shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamel on guilloché above and below. Modern contemporary style. Dimensions cm. 8 x 8.8 high cm. 2.8. Weight ...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Silver, Enamel and Cut Glass Salt and Pepper Shakers by David Andersen
Located in London, GB
Silver, enamel and cut glass salt and pepper shakers by David Andersen
Norwegian, 20th Century
Height 4.5cm, width 3cm, depth 3cm
Crafted...
Category
20th Century Norwegian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver, Enamel
Belt real black python buckle Sterling silver fire enamel hand painted Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Belt in genuine black python reptile with oval buckle in 925/1000 silver with translucent fire enamel on sunburst guilloche and hand-painted miniature depicting a branch of peach blo...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Enamel, Sterling Silver
An Austrian Silver Hanukkah Menorah, Circa early 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A lovely Austrian Hanukkah Menorah made in the modern era of the early 20th century.
Menorah rests on a domed base elegantly forming into a conical saucer knopped stem, which ascend...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
$4,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Sculptural Silver Center Bowl with Relief Surface Graziella Laffi
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning sterling silver vessel in the form of a stemmed bowl crafted by Graziella Laffi (1923-2009), Lima, Peru, Circa 1965. Marked on the rim: G. Laffi, PERU. The vessel was designed as a modern rendition of ancient pre-Columbina drinking vessel used in ceremony. The piece projects a regal and substantial aura due to its thick double wall construction with seamless craftmanship. The exterior surface was decorated with high relief roundels protrusion alternated with a radiating design that resembles star fish or a blooming flower. It has an impressive presence with its unique form and ornamentation that appears both modern and ancient at the same time.
Graziella Laffi was born in 1923 in Florence, Italy to Gino Laffi, a silversmith and artist. Following her family tradition, Graziella enrolled in master classes after elementary school, focusing on design and painting. She next attended Escuela de Bellas Artes de Puerta Romana for three years, where Gino taught, and then to the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, where she concentrated in architecture until the start of World War II. In 1947, Graziella, then twenty-four, immigrated with her parents to Peru. Gino later created a silversmith studio and showroom called Fabrica Laffi on Avenue Mexico, where Graziella initially learned her Craft. The Pre-Columbian culture in her adopted country inspired Graziella to travel and collect, which ultimately influence her design in the silver pieces. Graziella learned the metalworking techniques of the ancient Peruvian civilizations and rejected the current technology. She mostly used hammering, rolling and creating joints as the ancients do. As an ambassador of Peruvian culture, her work promoted the indigenous Peruvian art and rekindled the interest in its ancient heritage throughout South America, the United States and Europe. She exhibited her growing collection of Peruvian artifacts...
Category
1960s Peruvian Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Small Picture Frame Rounded Round English style, early 1900s. Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Small rounded round frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloche, English style, early 1900s. External diameter 7 cm, internal 5 cm. Weigh...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Table Box Fired Enamel on Guillochè Arab-Style Ornament Sterling Silver Salimben
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular box with rounded corners in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè with hand-engraved and enamelled Arab-style ornament. Dimensio...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Small Picture Frame Squared for round portrait Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Square frame for round photo in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloche, English style, early 1900s. External cm. 6 x 6 internal diameter cm. ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Damian Garrido 2003 Spain Sculptural Reina Centerpiece Vase 3/25 in 925 Sterling
Located in Miami, FL
Geometric modern "Reina" centerpiece vase designed by Damian Garrido.
A beautiful sculptural piece, created in Madrid Spain in the silversmith workshop of Damián Garrido, back in 2003. This architectural modernist centerpiece Tazza vase...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Table Box Enamel on Guilloche Hand Painted Miniature Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Square box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè also on the sides. In the center, a beautiful hand painted tempera miniature on a vegetable ivory plate depicting the portrait of a 19th century lady, signed by the painter Anna Maria Manfriani. Dimensions cm. 12 x 12 x 2.5. Weight gr. 618. Designed by Franco Salimbeni in 1976 and manufactured in Florence in some specimens with various subjects and different colors, in the headquarters of the Salimbeni Company with completely manual execution by artisan artists with thick slab and large reinforcements suitable for withstanding numerous enamelled firings at about 800° C.
Miniature is a very ancient technique which consists of painting works in small proportions.
It was born for the decoration of the first letter of the paragraph of the books.
Over the years, however, this technique is refined and enriched, then moving on to precious personal items.
Hand painted miniatures can be done with multiple different techniques.
The most important that we use on our articles are of three kinds:
1) Fire enamel.
2) Water tempera on an ivory plate.
3) Painted on mother-of-pearl.
Fire enameled miniatures:
On a first layer of enamel generally white or very clear or even transparent suitably liquefied at a temperature of about 750 ° C, the chosen subject is painted using miniature colors which are as many colored crystals, ground and reduced to a very fine, almost impalpable powder washed and purified in distilled water with the addition of small quantities of deoxidizing acids which, diluted with essential oils (usually essential oil of solder), can be mixed to form a palette of colors.
With very fine sable hair brushes you draw the subject starting from the perimeter and then gradually adding various layers of color.
It is necessary to carry out various firings very often so that the colors harden and are not absorbed by the underlying glaze as, during the subsequent firings at 750 ° C, during liquefaction, it would spread irremediably. Hence the need to form the painting a little at a time, cooking it numerous times.
Therefore it is necessary to proceed with numerous retouching, often overlapping different colors that only the painter's experience knows. A beautiful miniature needs from 20 to over 50 firings and is finished when the painter deems he does not have to further intervene.
Some colors must have darker tones than others because then, by superimposing the transparent enamel placed at the end of the miniature, they fade. This transparent layer, called “fondant” in jargon, must be smoothed and polished like all other translucent enamel colors.
The miniatures with water tempera colors are painted on real ivory...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Stylish Buccellati Sterling Silver Stem Flower Salt & Pepper Shakers
By Buccellati
Located in New York, NY
Stylish sterling silver figural salt and pepper shakers. Two flowers (one with gilt traces) set in stand. Each flower has a curvilinear stem, round bud with threaded double-leaf cove...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Perfume Holder pearl grey color fired enamel on guilloche Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Parallelepiped perfume holder for handbag in 925/1000 sterling silver with screwed cap with translucent fired enamel on guilloché. English style, early 1900s. Measurements cm. 2.5 x ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold Plate
Heart table box Yellow enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Heart-shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent enamel fired on guilloche above and below. Contemporary modern style. Dimensions cm. 9 x 9.5 cm high. 3.Weight gr....
Category
1990s Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Georg Jensen Pair of Danish Silver American Independence Commemorative Spoons
By Georg Jensen
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine pair vintage Danish silver spoons commemorating 200 years of American Independence by Georg Jensen and dated 1976. This stylish pair of sp...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Giovani Ottaviani Crystal & Horse Head Sterling Silver Decanter Barware, Italian
Located in North Miami, FL
This gorgeous vintage crystal and sterling silver signed Italian Giovani Ottaviani decanter has an abstract large sterling silver horse head as the stopper. From every direction the stopper of the horse head is varied. It is signed Ottaviani 800-studio Ottaviani. It is signed differently in 3 places, on the stopper, on the bottom of the crystal and the side of the decanter. It is from the 1970s. Ottaviani is a very fine and well known jewelry and silver firm that has been in business, since 1945- now and contemporary. They are located in a small seaside...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Crystal, Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Silver Champagne Bucket Conic and Octagonal shape
By Vavassori
Located in VALENZA, IT
Conical and octagonal solid silver champagne bucket with convex and flat sectors working. This particular workmanship makes the bucket ve...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
$4,994 Sale Price
20% Off
Modern sterling silver for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern sterling silver for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sterling silver created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, silver and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern sterling silver made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sterling silver, popular names associated with this style include Tiffany & Co., Arval Argenti Valenza, Graziella Laffi, and Missiaglia 1846. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for sterling silver differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $57,336 while the average work can sell for $1,947.
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