Art Deco Silver Centrepiece
These art deco silver centrepiece examples bring geometric elegance to a table, combining polished metal and glass to anchor a room.
Art Deco Silver Centrepiece
An art deco silver centrepiece brings striking geometric form and polished reflection to a dining table or sideboard. These items range from tazza vessels and fruit baskets to mirror plateaus designed to hold decorative objects.
The pieces on this page draw from periods including the nineteen tens, twenties, thirties, and fifties, with French art deco and maritime styles appearing among the selection. Forms vary from simple bowls and serving dishes to candlesticks and comports.
Sterling silver and silver plate predominate, alongside metal, glass, cut glass, mirror, wood, and chrome. Buyers often encounter footed bowls, dessert dishes with glass liners, and etched mirror plateaus within this grouping.
Materials and construction
Makers shaped these items using sterling silver, silver plate, chrome, and hammered pewter, often combining metalwork with cut glass or mirror plates. Techniques involved hand wrought shaping alongside hallmarked casting and silver plating over base metals.
Details such as etched glass surfaces, fitted glass liners, and polished wooden bases contribute to the structural variety of the period. Metal components display smooth reflective finishes or distinct hand wrought hammer marks.
Art Deco Silver Centrepiece Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for art deco silver centrepiece among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
A delightful model of a sailing boat sneaks into the collection alongside the fruit baskets and candlesticks.
Judging quality and execution
Superior examples display crisp hallmarks, substantial weight in the silver or metal, and precise geometric lines typical of the style. The integration of complementary materials, such as heavy cut glass liners within silver frames, marks better production.
Design ambition distinguishes standard tableware from exceptional pieces, particularly in items featuring specialised French manufacturing or signed maker attribution. The crispness of hand wrought details and the preservation of original mirror surfaces separate finer items from simpler production.
Charles Boyton·Viners·W M F·Brille Paris·Robert Edgar Stone·Elkington
The Art Deco Silver Centrepiece Glossary
- Tazza
- A shallow bowl or dish raised on a stem and foot, often used for serving fruit or sweets.
- Comport
- An ornamental dish raised on a foot, placed on a dining table for serving fruit or dessert.
- Mirror plateau
- A mirrored tray placed in the centre of a table to reflect candlesticks or decorative ornaments.
- Bonbon dish
- A small small container specifically designed for holding sweets or bonbons.
- Silver plate
- A layer of silver applied to a base metal core, such as copper or nickel silver.
Art Deco Silver Centrepiece: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an art deco silver centrepiece used for?
These items serve as decorative focal points on dining tables, sideboards, or mantelpieces. They hold fruit, bread, or bonbons, or support candlesticks and glass vessels.
Many incorporate mirror plateaus to reflect light and enhance the display of other decorative objects placed upon them.
How do I clean silver plate and sterling silver?
Clean sterling silver and silver plate using a soft cloth and a specialised silver polish formulated to remove tarnish without scratching the metal surface. Avoid abrasive pads or harsh chemical dips.
Wash glass liners and glass components separately in warm soapy water and dry them thoroughly before reassembling the piece.
How do I identify French art deco pieces?
French art deco items often exhibit bolder modernist lines, distinctive maker signatures, and innovative combinations of chrome, glass, and silver plate. Look for Parisian workshop marks and distinct styling.
They frequently take the form of comports, fruit baskets, and serving dishes created by notable continental makers.
Are glass liners original to these dishes?
Many dessert dishes and bowls retain their original fitted cut glass liners, which were designed to protect the metal from acidic foods. Match the dimensions and period style to determine originality.
Original liners typically fit snugly into the silver or plated frame without excessive movement.