Burnell and Rowe

Description

This is an interesting Silver Plate Shell Menu Holder made in Germany for the British War Department between the two world wars. The menu holder has a circular domed base with a short pedestal stem and two scallop shells forming the clamp to hold the menu or place card.

The menu holder was made in Germany by the famous company W.M.F and dates to the 1920s or 1930s. WMF (Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik) was founded in 1880 when Straub & Sohn of Geislingen merged with Ritter & Co of Esslingen. The company was quickly successful and by 1910 was the largest employer in Wurttemberg and had offices in London, Vienna and Warsaw. They were very associated with Art Nouveau / Jugendstil style in silver plate and pewter. In the late 1920s they launched Ikora, a revolutionary type of plating that gave an enhanced finish. The company is still going strong today.

Condition is very good, with no dings or dents, no significant plate loss and just the most minimal superficial surface wear that has to be expected with use and the passage of time. The two shells fit tightly together to hold the menu in place. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The menu holder stands 5cm / 1.9ins high and is 3.6cm / 1.4ins in diameter across the base. It weighs 58.2g / 2oz.

The underside of the base is stamped WMF in their 1920s/30s style, NS for nickel silver, showing it was silver plate made for export, and W D either side of an arrow head, which shows that it was a military purchase by the War Department.

Shipping in the UK is £6 by Royal Mail Tracked 24.
Overseas customers,please ask us about shipping costs to your country before making a purchase.