M.H Wilkens & Sohne

A Magnificent Marine Inspired Wine Cooler/ Vase

Made in Germany

Circa 1898

Maker’s Mark of M.H Wilkens & Sohne

Height: 26cm (10.2in)

Weight: 85oz (2650gr)

This wine cooler or vase is a truly magnificent piece made in Germany in circa 1890. It was made by the famous European silversmiths M.H Wilkens & Sohne. Wilkens & Sohne, at the time, were one of Germany’s most important Silversmiths producing some of the highest quality pieces and this object is no exception. It is decorated over the entire surface with incredible cast crashing waves and fish in the style of Meissonier The central cartouches are formed as flowering lily pads which acts as the calm amongst the storm. The handles are formed as mermen tugging the lilies.

Naturalistic designs in silver became increasingly popular around the middle of the 19th century both in America and in Europe and this is one of the finest examples of that movement that we have had in our collection.

The goldsmith Martin Heinrich Wilkens (1782–1869) set up a workshop in Bremen's old town in 1810. In the economically difficult early years, he initially produced and repaired gold and silver goods by hand until, after his eldest sons, the skilled mechanic Diedrich and the skilled engraver Carl, joined, the company developed into a mint from around 1830, which soon produced pressed semi-finished goods and was able to sell entire pieces of silverware beyond Bremen. At the same time, the production of medals began and between 1840 and 1861 he minted a total of 1.7 million coins on behalf of the Bremen state.

From 1851, Wilkens supplied the world exhibitions. In 1859, the three Wilkens brothers moved the cutlery production to Hemelingen, which was then part of the Kingdom of Hanover, and ten years later the entire production. Only the shop remained in Bremen.

The order books available from 1866 list the names of major jewellers and silver dealers from almost all major German cities as customers who were the end sellers of the finished products. They were keen to remove the stigma of mass production from the silverware and therefore they often requested that the manufacturer's stamp be dispensed with. The Bremen origin of some objects can now only be recognised by the inconspicuous factory mark and by the order number as is the case with this cooler.

Before the First World War, the company was one of the three largest German silverware factories, alongside Koch & Bergfeld in Bremen and Peter Bruckmann & Söhne in Heilbronn. Church and social institutions were established in Hemelingen at the instigation and with financial support of the Wilkens family. Tableware and cutlery from Wilkens' production are still in demand in the antique trade today; The Focke Museum in Bremen has the most extensive collection.

In the early years, the strict forms of Empire and Biedermeier predominated, but from around 1840 more richly decorated forms came to the fore. Towards the middle of the 19th century, this style of decoration increased, which was later called “rococo revival”. After the London World Exhibition of 1851, a naturalism spread in the arts and crafts, producing centrepieces and candlesticks in the shape of oaks, palms and vines, goblets in the shape of flowers and jugs with gnarled branch handles. Wilkens followed this direction more consistently and for longer than his competitors.