Ca. 1913 Rare Grogan Company Sterling Silver Round Platter W Etched Glass Center
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:28365 | Style: Art Nouveau |
| Pattern: Custom | Age: 1913 |
| Brand: Grogan Company |
From an estate in Westport, Connecticut, here is one of the nicest sterling silver items I've ever come across in the 20 years I've been antiquing. The piece is a round and very large (16 3/4" diameter) one of a kind custom made combination of a beautiful 2.5" Sterling Silver Outer Edge with the inner portion being an 11.75" diameter glass crystal decorated center. I'm even a bit unsure of what to call the glass. From the top of the platter th...e glass is completely smooth...showing the amazing etched and carved or ct glass floral pattern center. When you flip the piece offer, the underside has some texture and shows the intricate detail of the center medallion.
To understand the production of this piece, it is necessary to understand a bit about the company that coordinated these efforts. The Grogan Company was an upscale retailer in Pittsburgh Pa. which facilitated and commissioned many many beautiful pieces of sterling silver (vases, etc) and also the occasional blending of silver craftsmanship with fine glass work with companies like Hawkes (known for their amazing cut glass). These pieces were created by a clientele of wealthy customers looking for a "one of a kind" piece of functional or decorative art, and the result truly showed that a platter or vase could ascend to that status under the right circumstances.
The platter is marked with the three hallmarks that identify the silver portion of the platter's construction (the maker) and these three are difficult discern, but I can almost see an anchor, so it is quite possible the Gorham was hired for the silver portion of the platter. After the word "STERLING" are the initials "WLT, " which likely the client who commissioned the piece and this almost assures us that the platter is a "one of a kind." Beneath this line are the incised words "Grogan Company." From there the decorated "Art Nouveau or Art Deco" sterling ring transitions to the glass centerpiece. I spent nearly an hour with a good loop and lighted magnifying glass searching for the maker's mark for the glass portion, but in the end could not find one. The year "1913" is prominently incised on the underside of the platter on one of the "rings" of sterling.
In the end I gave the platter's silver outer edge a cursory polishing and cleaned the glass center portion. There was no damage that I could find aside from the surface scuffs and scratches to both glass and silver. The only thing I would mention is that the seam between the silver edge and heavier glass is perfectly fine, but I would recommend carrying the platter gently because the weight of the glass does seem to exceed the weight of the silver. It's just a wonderful piece which displays beautifully. The size is imposing by itself at nearly 17" in diameter and a weight of 6.6 pounds or 105 ounces.
Please see the 12 photos for the best views of these details. It would make an amazing addition to your collection. Winner to pay a flat fee of $25 for shipping via FedEx Ground. Thanks for stopping by! Please feel free to ask any questions you before bidding on the platter.
To understand the production of this piece, it is necessary to understand a bit about the company that coordinated these efforts. The Grogan Company was an upscale retailer in Pittsburgh Pa. which facilitated and commissioned many many beautiful pieces of sterling silver (vases, etc) and also the occasional blending of silver craftsmanship with fine glass work with companies like Hawkes (known for their amazing cut glass). These pieces were created by a clientele of wealthy customers looking for a "one of a kind" piece of functional or decorative art, and the result truly showed that a platter or vase could ascend to that status under the right circumstances.
The platter is marked with the three hallmarks that identify the silver portion of the platter's construction (the maker) and these three are difficult discern, but I can almost see an anchor, so it is quite possible the Gorham was hired for the silver portion of the platter. After the word "STERLING" are the initials "WLT, " which likely the client who commissioned the piece and this almost assures us that the platter is a "one of a kind." Beneath this line are the incised words "Grogan Company." From there the decorated "Art Nouveau or Art Deco" sterling ring transitions to the glass centerpiece. I spent nearly an hour with a good loop and lighted magnifying glass searching for the maker's mark for the glass portion, but in the end could not find one. The year "1913" is prominently incised on the underside of the platter on one of the "rings" of sterling.
In the end I gave the platter's silver outer edge a cursory polishing and cleaned the glass center portion. There was no damage that I could find aside from the surface scuffs and scratches to both glass and silver. The only thing I would mention is that the seam between the silver edge and heavier glass is perfectly fine, but I would recommend carrying the platter gently because the weight of the glass does seem to exceed the weight of the silver. It's just a wonderful piece which displays beautifully. The size is imposing by itself at nearly 17" in diameter and a weight of 6.6 pounds or 105 ounces.
Please see the 12 photos for the best views of these details. It would make an amazing addition to your collection. Winner to pay a flat fee of $25 for shipping via FedEx Ground. Thanks for stopping by! Please feel free to ask any questions you before bidding on the platter.
