Price range: Sold

I am delighted to have another piece by the incredible Italian silversmith Giacinto Melillo.  This is a beautiful silver bowl, the body decorated with repouse and chased design of acorns and oak leaves. It is almost certainly of classical inspiration – see final image of an ancient Egyptian acorn bowl in silver held by the Metropolitan Museum, New York ref 18.2.13.  See this link.

As with most of Melillo’s work, this piece is probably inspired by a similar ancient example in Naples Museum and is of an exceptionally heavy gauge of silver.  Dating to around 1900. Condition is excellent.

Giacinto Melillo was Castellani’s workshop manager from 1865 and attributed with making many of his finest pieces of jewellery. Around 1885 Melillo established his own independent business in Naples making similar revivalist classical pieces.  The design of this dish is probably based on an original Etruscan or Roman piece in bronze or pottery.  He died in 1914 and his son continued the business under the same for some years after.

Maker: Giacinto Melillo, Italy

Designer: Giacinto Melillo, Italy

Date : c 1900

Marks: G. Melillo

Material: Sterling silver

Condition: Excellent

Size: 15.5cm diameter, 8.0 cm high

Weight: 542 grams, 19.1 oz