Centrepieces

In many countries the art of table decoration is highly prized and nothing can be more beautiful than an antique centrepiece bowl filled with fresh flowers or a silver table epergne gracefully decked with sweets and candies. Browse our collection of antique silver Centrepieces, Epergnes, Jardinieres and Bowls

The Antique Silver Epergne, or Centrepiece, appeared c.1750 in the form of a large central raised basket flanked by several smaller dishes or baskets. These are normally very decorative and are used for fruit, flowers and sweets. Over the years the epergne evolved into ornamental stands, often figural with maidens, animals and cherubs, supporting crystal or silver dishes.

The Antique Silver Jardiniere makes an ideal table centre display. These can be filled with flowers and many are suitable for holding bottles.

The Antique Silver Punch Bowl or Monteith has been popular since the late 17th century. The Monteith bowl is mentioned in Anthony Wood’s diary in 1683 however the first recorded examples do not appear until the following year (ref. Georgina E. Lee Monteith Bowls). Food at this time was heavily spiced and a cooling drink was needed such as wine or the newly fashionable punch. Hence the requirement for a large bowl which could be filled with either a drink or ice, and to which a shaped removable rim could be used to hold stem glasses, punch ladle and lemon squeezer. A bowl with a rim of this type is referred to as a Monteith.

Centrepieces

The Antique Silver Jardiniere makes an ideal table centre display. These can be filled with flowers and many are suitable for holding bottles.

1697 - 1698
Robert Timbrell
10153 William III Antique Silver Bowl
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An outstanding antique silver monteith bowl complete with the original detachable collar with castellated scroll border and cherub heads. Excellent size and proportions. The body decoration is typical for a monteith of the period 1690-1702 and has a series of asymmetrical tear shaped panels interspersed with unusual foliate “face” motifs; all on an intricately hand chased matted background. The lions mask side handles are beautifully modelled. Weight 1780 grams, 57.2 troy ounces. Height 21.4cm (with Monteith collar), 15.6cm (without collar). Diameter 27.5cm (collar), 26.2cm (bowl). London 1697/8. Maker Robert Timbrell. Britannia standard silver (95.8% pure).
1700
George Garthorne
9109 Antique William III Silver Bowl
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An early English silver punch bowl from the pre Queen Anne period. *Britannia standard silver. With charmingly quaint lions mask drop ring handles, the foot with a bold gadrooned border. The body decoration, typical for a monteith of the period 1690-1702, has a series of asymmetrical lobed panels intersected by spiral flutes of matted background which closely resemble cornunucopia. Weight 1200 grams, 39oz. Diameter 24.5 cm. Height 15.5 cms. London 1700. Maker George Garthorne, a specialist bowl maker.
1701
Robert Peake
7895 William III Silver Bowl
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A rare and important early English silver bowl from the pre Queen Anne period. Large size with charmingly quaint lions mask drop ring handles and the ribbed body decoration typical for this period. To the front there is a large hand engraved armorial set within a plummage scroll cartouche. Around the top there is a band of engraved leaves and fish scale chasing. Britannia standard silver*. Weight 1313 grams, 42.2 troy ounces. Height 15 cms. Diameter 27 (top) cms, 17 cms (base). London 1701. Maker Robert Peake.
1705
Benjamin Pyne
6197 Queen Anne Silver Bowl
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A rare and important early English silver bowl from the Queen Anne period. Large size with charmingly quaint lions mask side handles and the ribbed body decoration typical for this period. There is a large scroll cartouche to the front with deep chased decoration. Britannia standard silver*. Weight 1315 grams, 42.2 troy ounces. Height 16.5 cms. Diameter 27.5 cms. London 1705. Maker Benjamin Pyne.
1706
Isaac Dighton
10169 Queen Anne Antique Silver Monteith Bowl
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A rare early English silver monteith from the Queen Anne period. Large size. The decoration, with the ribbed body and decorative cartouches, is typical for this period. Particularly charming are the quaint lions mask side handles. The shaped monteith rim is fixed and was originally used to hold stem glasses, punch ladle and lemon squeezer. To the front and back there is a good hand engraved armorial for the Fitzgerald family. Underneath the bowl there is also a presentation inscription from the Fitzgerald family. Gilt interior. Weight 1895 grams, 60.9 troy ounces. Height 20cm. Diameter 29.5cm. London 1706. Maker Isaac Dighton. Britannia standard silver (95.8% pure).
1721
Matthew Lofthouse
8700 Large George II Silver Bowl by Matthew Lofthouse
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A handsome antique sterling silver punch bowl with simple plain styling and raised pedestal foot. Large size. Excellent quality and good gauge silver. Weight 1650 grams, 53 troy ounces. Height 20.5 cms. Diameter 29.3 cms. London 1727. Maker Matthew Lofthouse.
1721
John Bache
10263 George I Antique Silver Monteith Bowl
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A handsome antique silver monteith bowl with the original castellated collar mounted with little lion heads. Excellent size and proportions. The bowl design is typical for a monteith of the period 1700-1720 with its plain form on a built-up foot and the large hand engraved coat of arms. To the reverse is finely executed crest. Weight 1561 grams, 50.1 troy ounces. Height 21.4cm (with Monteith collar), 21.4cm (without collar). Diameter 27cm (collar), 25cm (bowl). London 1721. Maker John Bache. Britannia standard silver – 95.8% pure. 18^th century.
1788
John Kidder
6972 George III Silver Epergne
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A superb antique sterling silver centerpiece with five detachable bowls which can be used separately. The pretty fluted stand is raised on tall shaped feet with a decorative border of looped harebell swags embellished with ribbons and classical motifs. Engraved to the centre of the stand and to all 5 bowls is a crest of a cockerel. All the bowls have elegant pierced silver with a cast border. Weight 2000 grams, 64.3 troy ounces. Height 32 cms. Large bowl 33 x 17 cms. Small bowl diameter 12 cms. Spread 41 x 38 cms. All pieces have matching silver marks. London 1788. Maker John Kidder.
1801
William Pitts
8400 Georgian Silver Table Centrepiece
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A large and very impressive antique sterling silver epergne with 5 matching cut crystal dishes. Excellent quality. This elegant silver table centre comprises an oval stand, decorated with leaves and swags, to which the 4 side arms are attached. A useful feature is that the oval centre can be used on its own, or with a combination of 1,2 ,3 or all 4 arms.The weight of silver is 2095 grams, 67.3 troy ounces. Dimensions – Total width (with glass) 68 cms, depth 62 cms, height 23.5 cms. Silver width 63 cms, depth 58 cms, height 23.5 cms. Oval glass length 30 cms, width 22 cms. Each piece of silver is marked and fully matching. London 1801. By William Peaston.
1807
Richard Cooke
9302 George III Silver Bowl
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A handsome antique sterling silver centrepiece bowl on pedestal foot, with plain classic styling and broad gadroon borders. Good size and weight. Excellent quality. Bright original gilding. There is a large hand engraved armorial to the front with the motto “Prest Pour Mon Pais” – ‘Ready For My Country’. Weight 2545 grams, 81.8 troy ounces. Height 20 cms. Diameter 29 cms. London 1807. Maker Richard Cooke.
1816
John Houle
8622 Antique Georgian Silver Wine Cistern
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An antique gilt silver bowl of large size and exceptionally heavy weight; this excellent quality is just as you’d expect from a master silversmith trained by the world famous Paul Storr. Raised on a pedestal foot and having hinged lions mask side handles, this oval wine cooler takes two bottles. The deep relief applied decoration is covered in grape and vine leaf ornament, the centre ovals have a Bacchanalian scene with cherubs, a goat and an impish Bacchus, to either side there is a large bird and dolphin. Weight 4218 grams, 135.6 troy ounces. Top 31 x 23.5cm. Height 18cm. London 1816. Maker John Houle, freeman of the Vintners’ Company. Sterling silver.
Circa 1830

5780 Georgian Centre Piece Epergne in Old Sheffield Plate
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A handsome antique centrepiece in old Sheffield plate with 4 removable side arms and a suite of 5 cut crystal bowls. Can be used with just the large centre bowl. Height 39 cms. Spread 49 cms. Circa 1830. Shown here with #5618. Victorian Silver Plated Mirror Plateau (price not in included)
1862
Elkington
9677 Victorian Silver Table Centrepiece
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A spectacular antique silver centrepiece and candelabra, the tall column and arms formed as a grapevine with entwined branches supporting vine leaves and bunches of grapes. The cut crystal bowl and the candle nozzles are all detachable. This decorative item is perfect for fruit, flowers and sweets. Engraved to the base with a presentation inscription from H.G Mytton of Cleobury North. Dismantles into 3 pieces by unscrewing the bowl holder at the top. Weight 2755 grams, 88.6 troy ounces. Height 58.5cm (with glass), 53cm (without). Spread 42cm. London 1862. Maker George Richards Elkington. Sterling silver.
1874
Edward Barnard & Sons
8366 Antique Silver Figural Centrepiece
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A handsome antique sterling silver table centre modelled as The Three Graces supporting an shaped openwork basket with a cast floral rim. The tall spreading base terminates in three large scroll feet. Excellent quality and fine attention to detail. Weight 2846 grams, 91.5 troy ounces. Height 43 cms. Diameter of basket 14 cms. Spread of base 26 cms. Hallmarked on the basket and base for London 1874. Maker E & J Barnard.
1877
Charles Stuart Harris
8849 Antique Queen Anne Style Silver Monteith Bowl
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A large and handsome antique sterling punch bowl in the early 18th century style with lions mask side handles, typical ribbed body decoration and a decorative cartouche to the front. The shaped scalloped rim is detachable; this is used to hold stem glasses, punch ladle and lemon squeezer and a bowl of this type is referred to as a Monteith. Weight of silver 3426 grams, 110 troy ounces. Height 19 cms (without rim), 25 cms (with rim), diameter 37 cms. London 1877. Maker Charles Stuart Harris.
1879
Charles Stuart Harris
6448 Queen Anne Style Silver Monteith
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A large antique sterling silver bowl with ribbed design and a decorative cartouche. The fixed scalloped rim is decorated with face masks. Bowls with this style of decorative rim are known as monteiths and can be used to hold stem glasses – the rims were originally detachable. Weight 1233 grams, 39.6 troy ounces. Height 21 cms. Diameter 27 cms. London 1879. Maker Charles Stuart Harris.
Circa 1880

7464 Antique Silver Plated Monteith
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A medium size antique bowl in the Queen Anne style with a detachable shaped rim and lions mask side carrying handles. Lovely ribbed body with decorative cartouches to front and back. The rim is very charming with shaped scrolls and face decoration. This bowl was originally used to hold stem glasses, punch ladle and lemon squeezer. Height 18.5 cms. Diameter 20.5 cms. Circa 1880. Marked underneath. Silver plated.
1886

8613 Queen Anne Style Silver Bowl
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A handsome antique sterling bowl in the early 18th century style with lions mask side handles, typical ribbed body decoration and decorative cartouches. The shaped rim was monteith style which was originally used to hold stem glasses, punch ladle and lemon squeezer (the top of an original monteith is also detachable). To the front there is an engraved crest of a standing cat with the motto “Touch Not the Cat Bot a Glove”*. To the front there is a presentation inscription**. Weight of silver 1321 grams, 42.4 troy ounces. Height 20 cms, diameter 25 cms. London 1886. Maker Sibray Hall & Co.
1887
Mappin
9587 Antique Silver Jardiniere
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A large and imposing antique silver bowl or wine cooler. Heavy gauge silver. Decorative side handles in the Art Nouveau style. To the front there is a deep relief fairy tale scene from Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. The interior is gilded. Weight approx. 3700 grams, 118 troy ounces. Height 27 cm, 31 cm to top of handle. Spread 51 cm. English sterling silver. London 1887. Maker John Newton Mappin.
Circa 1890

8614 Antique Silver Centrepiece
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A magnificent antique silver centrepiece of oval form supported by 4 large dolphins. The quality of this piece is excellent. The base has a shaped band of embossed gadroon decoration and the feet are in the form of gush of water ejected from the dophin’s mouth. On top there is a fine quality cut glass bowl. Weight of silver 1528 grams, 49.1 troy ounces. Total height 18 cms. Base 34 x 26.5 cms. Glass bowl 31.5 x 23 cms. German silver stamps crown and moon. Silver fineness “800”*. Circa 1890.
Circa 1890
Thomas Latham & Ernest Morton
8795 Antique Silver Plated Mirror Plateau
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A handsome antique silver plated mirror stand of long rectangular form with shaped curved ends. Large size. Very smart with a bead edge and a fruit and foliage design border. Complete with the original hardwood back. Length 85 cms. Width 36 cms. Height 5 cms. Circa 1890. With a silver plate mark underneath for Thomas Latham & Ernest Morton of Birmingham.
1890 - 1920

6533 Large Chinese Silver Bowl
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A large and heavy Chinese silver bowl with hammered finish and gilt inside. The applied decoration with mixed metals has an underwater theme with seaweed, crabs, shells and reeds. Very good gauge silver. Weight 1243 grams, 39.9 troy ounces. Height 9.5 cms. Diameter 24 cms. Stamped underneath with Chinese characters. Maker CL – operated 1890 – 1920. High grade silver.
Circa 1896

9490 Antique Indian Silver Bowl
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A large antique silver bowl with a deep relief embossed design of musicians and dancers in a forest surrounding a palace. Excellent weight. Around the top is a presentation inscription for the Calcutta Races 1896. Underneath there is an engraved flower design. Weight 1729 grams, 55.5 troy ounces. Height 19cm. Diameter of top opening 2.7cm, 17cm (top rim). Unmarked silver. Indian or Burmese. Circa 1896.
Circa 1900

8756 Antique French Silver Mirror Plateau
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An elegant antique mirror stand of shaped oval form standing on ball feet. Plain styled with reed borders and shell motifs. With the original wooden back. Length 52 cms. Width 36 cms. Height 4.2 cms. Marked on the edge with French silver stamps. Circa 1900.
1905
Goldsmiths And Silversmiths Co
9281 Antique Silver Bowl
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Presented by HRH Prince Faisal of Saudi Arabia. A important sterling silver bowl with side handles and a square pedestal foot. Large size. Similar form to the Warwick Vase. Excellent quality chased decoration with flowers, foliage and scrolls. Good heavy weight. To the front is a presentation inscription to Dr Daniel Davies* and the bowl is accompanied by a signed photograph of Prince Faisal. Weight 3470 grams, 111.5 troy ounces. Height 26 cm. Diameter 32 cm. Spread across the handles 39 cm. Base 15.5 cm square. London 1905. Maker Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company.