Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Pierced Sweetmeat Bowl by James Dixon & Sons, Sheffield 1899

A late Victorian sterling silver sweetmeat bowl by James Dixon & Sons, fully hallmarked for Sheffield 1899. This elegant oval bonbon dish is finely pierced with alternating floral, foliate and geometric motifs, creating an airy openwork design characteristic of decorative English silver from the period. The shaped border is finished with a repeating scroll pattern, while the raised pierced gallery frames a plain central well suitable for serving small sweets or displaying as part of an antique silver collection.

Details

Item: Sweetmeat bowl, bonbon dish or small serving bowl
Maker: James Dixon & Sons
Origin: Sheffield, England
Date / Period: 1899, late Victorian era
Material: Sterling silver
Silver Purity: .925 sterling silver
Hallmarks: JD&S maker’s mark, Sheffield crown assay mark, lion passant and date letter
Design: Oval bowl with pierced openwork gallery and decorative scroll border
Decoration: Floral sprays, geometric rosettes, foliate motifs and finely pierced latticework
Measurements: Approximately 17 cm long × 13 cm wide
Weight: Approximately 93.8 grams

Condition

Very good antique condition with age-related surface wear, fine scratches and light patina consistent with previous use. The pierced decoration presents well, retaining its detailed floral and geometric design. Please review all photographs carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.

Historical and Collector Context

James Dixon & Sons was one of Sheffield’s established silver manufacturers. The business began in 1806 when James Dixon and Thomas Smith opened a workshop in Silver Street, Sheffield. It later expanded at Cornish Place and became James Dixon & Sons in 1835. By the Victorian period, the firm was producing a wide range of sterling silver and plated tableware, combining Sheffield manufacturing expertise with decorative designs suited to the dining customs of the era.

Sweetmeat bowls were intended for the presentation of confectionery, nuts or small delicacies at the table. This example is particularly attractive for its intricate openwork decoration, clearly struck Sheffield hallmarks and practical size, making it a refined example of late Victorian English silver.

Please review all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description. We are happy to provide further details or images on request.