Reed & Barton Art Nouveau 'La Parisienne' Sterling Silver Gravy Ladle

Reed & Barton held a commanding position within the realm of Art Nouveau silver producers at the turn of the 20th century, with designs such as Love Disarmed an unexcelled figural offering and Les Six Fleurs a benchmark among florals.

La Parisenne, the pattern on this 6 3/4" long, weighty at 2.12 T. oz., gravy is another expressive Reed & Barton design from this period.

A multi-motif floral line, the image on this is a water or pond lily (whether by intent or happenstance, it is a fitting theme to adorn an item used for liquids).

Fully in the Art Nouveau mode, the design features a single high relief blossom surrounded by a bud, lily pads, and trailing leaves and stems sinuously arrayed along the length of the handle front and back sides.

There is an "ECW" or "EWC" monogram rendered in line script lettering,, which is especially companionable with the manner of the pattern.

In excellent condition, this retains clear pattern detail and has a bright finish. The bowl, which shows incidental, faint, traces of an original gold wash, is without dents or bends, although there are light surface scratches.

Marks are Reed & Barton's "eagle, R, lion" emblem, "Sterling," and "Pat. Apr 15 1902," all in fine lettering.