A Frans Zwollo Snr large Dutch silver stone set bowl

I am great admirer of the early Amsterdam School, most notably its leader Jan Eisenloeffel. They  took the prevalent art nouveau fashion and drew in influences of British arts and crafts, Indonesian (East Indies) culture and a good dose of their own modernism.  This large silver bowl is by Frans Zwollo Snr  (1872-1945), who produced some stunning silver and copper pieces between c. 1900-1930.  See this link for more information on Zwollo (in Dutch).  Zwollo (Senior and junior), in an English context, can be considered the Omar Ramsden (or Ramsden and Carr) of Netherlands c 1900-1939, although Zwollo was a much more individual silversmith than Ramsden, with far lower output.

This  very large bowl carries to the interior of the bowl a crest of a double headed eagle.  A common crest throughout Europe it has not been linked to a specific family or (Dutch) town but likely is indicative of the original patron who commissioned the bowl.  In more classic Zwollo style the bowl is set with small green stones to the bowl rim and base, likely agates or amazonite. The stem of the bowl also exhibits his naturalistic style of repousse.  What is unusual about the bowl is the engraved and repousse dot, spiral and pierced geometric patterns, but these were in fact Zwollos’ style c 1910-12 when this bowl was produced.  The original photo of this exact bowl appears in two photos held by the RKD (Dutch national art library) and indicate the bowl is from this date and that Zwollo, of course, is the maker – see images.  The bowl also carries in dot engraving to the base Zwollo’s FZ initials.

Condition is excellent.  This is a museum standard piece.

Price: >£10,000+

Maker: Frans Zwollo Snr

Designer: Frans Zwollo Snr

Date : c 1910

Marks: F Z

Material: Silver

Condition: Excellent. Crest slightly rubbed

Size: 31.5 cm max diameter, 15.5 cm high

Weight : 1250 grams, 44 oz