Wolfers, Late 19th Century – Large Tabletop Planter Made Of 800-th Solid Silver,

Wolfers, late 19th century – Impressive 800-th solid silver tabletop planter, Louis XVI style

A large and elegant table planter in 800-th solid silver, crafted by the prestigious Wolfers firm in the late 19th century in the Louis XVI style.

This remarkable piece is distinguished by its exceptional craftsmanship. The openwork frame features a regular pattern of vertical fluting, punctuated by delicate applied laurel garlands held in place by bows and accented with oval medallions. The presence of these applied ornaments is a true mark of superior craftsmanship and attests to particularly meticulous goldsmithing.

The inner tray, made of gilded brass, is the original. Perfectly fitted to the frame, it follows the undulating shape of the planter and offers an elegant contrast to the brilliance of the silver.

The quality of this piece is also illustrated by its exceptional weight. The solid 800-thousandths silver frame alone weighs 2,182 grams—a considerable mass for this type of piece and one rarely encountered. The gross weight, including its original gilded brass inner tray, is 3,532 grams. This substantial amount of metal, combined with the quality of the casting and the appliqués, attests to a luxurious craftsmanship intended for a particularly discerning clientele.

With its imposing dimensions, rich decoration, high-quality craftsmanship, and extraordinary weight, this planter makes a superb centerpiece and stands as a remarkable testament to the expertise of the Wolfers House in the late 19th century.

Characteristics

• Type: tabletop planter / centerpiece
• Silversmith: Wolfers
• Origin: Belgium
• Period: late 19th century
• Style: Louis XVI
• Material: 800-thousandths sterling silver
• Inner basin: original gilded brass
• Decoration: openwork frame with fluting, applied laurel garlands, bows, and oval medallions
• Length: 48 cm
• Width: 31 cm
• Height: 10.5 cm
• Net weight of the silver frame: 2,182 g
• Gross weight including the inner tray: 3,532 g
• Condition: in perfect condition, with its original gilded brass inner tray.