Help with WMF sugar basket

[Ruthycc]

I am quite a novice and looking for advice as I start selling.

1). Can the piece be dated from the hallmarks.
2). There is also a small e on the opposite side of the base from the main hallmarks - does anyone know what this means?
3). Can you tell me what style this would come under, e.g Victorian/ Edwardian?
4). Would this be described as a sugar basket or other?
5). Should I shine the silver for the pictures or do people prefer it as found?
6). Any other information anyone may have that is useful or interesting about the piece.

[mart]

Can you take the bowl out,,get the silver basket in good light and take a straight on pic of the marks ??  We can`t read them in this pic !!  Oh,, almost forgot to say welcome to the group !! As a novice please feel free to come here for any help you need !!

[Ruthycc]

Thank you very much for the welcome. I've attached a couple more pictures. Do ask if you want any more.

[KC]

Welcome!

Nice little "sweet meats" basket you have there, (now days known as a candy basket)  HOWEVER, if you can list the dimensions...if smaller, could very well be a sugar basket reminiscent of Victorian times.

WMF stands for WURTTEMBERGISCHE METALLWARENFABRIK.. .the German company that made it.
EP stands for ELECTRO PLATE  (The thin layer of silver was electronically plated to the base metal.)
NS stands for Neusilber which stands for the base metal aka Nickel Silver.

Some sites to help familiarize you with the maker of your piece.
http://www.silvercollection.it/wmf.html
http://www.smpub.com/ubb/images/03/21-0449-wmfmarks.html

As for shining...well, that is up to you.  If the item is in perfect condition (if you can surely tell) then by all means polish that up and get top dollar for it.  However, majority of people do not shine it up and leave it up to the purchaser.

There is a shiny polish (which most associate with fine silver) and then there is a Butler's polish (which is a typical look for silver that has been hand polished over the years and has a more "rubbed over time" "satiny" look.

[mart]

Can you date this piece for her KC ??

[KC]

Mart, hard to say.  The hallmarks aren't defined.  The style is in the likeness of Victorian...but they did the same style in early 1900's - art nouveau era.

Ruthycc, you might want to watch this one on ebay...like yours with ruby/red glass
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-SUPERB-ART-NOUVEAU-WMF-SUGAR-SERVING-TRAY-DISH-BASKET-1900S-/141329495947?pt=Antiques_Silver&hash=item20e7e4f78b

[Ruthycc]

Thanks for all your help. Much appreciated. Can anyone advise what the etched "e" on the opposite side if the base to the hallmarks might mean?

[KC]

Ruthycc, I can't find anywhere that this is a mark put on by WMF.

You state in this last question that it is "etched".  Is that correct?  If it is etched then it would have been added by a store/distributor or owner.  (It isn't even the normal export mark.)  If it was imprinted like the others were when making it then it would be easier to distinguish.

[Ruthycc]

Hi KC. Sorry, etched is probably the wrong terminology. It is shown on the 3rd picture I posted. Just a small E by itself exactly 180 degrees around the base from the other imprints.

[awhitetriangle]

looks like an edwardian revival of an earlier (victorian) style to me. i'd date it 1901-14. nice little bristol blue sugar bowl. worth about £10-25. if it wasn't wmf half that.

[mart]

Thanks, Awhitetriangle,,hard to get a feel for these when we are across the pond as they say !! Good to have your take on the prices !!