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A very fine American Art Nouveau Sterling silver bowl by BaiIey, Banks & Biddle Co. the circular body engraved with floral and foliate decoration, the openwork border with applied roses and foliage on a circular pierced rim foot with similarly applied roses and foliage Philadelphia, date circa 1900 Fully hallmarked.
Height 19 cm, diameter 48 cm.
In 1871 this innovative American firm of manufaauring silversmiths and jewellers published their "History of Silver, Ancient and Modern", in which the author noted that The advent of Messrs. Bailey & Company, in the year 1832, with new and improved machinery, created quite a revolution in the art of manufacturing silverware. They immediately look the lead in this department of industry which they have steadily maintainetd. They claim the distinction, and without cavil of having first introduced silver of the full British standard of 925-1000 the American standard being but 900. The advantage of raising the standard are that it prevents the importation from abroad, and especially from British workshops, for purchasers are assured by a guarantee of receiving silver, pure as that stamped by the English government. Besides, the quality of the silver renders the article more brilliant, whitet, and more susceptible of a higher finish, and obviates discoloration from exposure'.
The story of the firm began on 20th September 1832, when Joseph Trowbridge Bailey and Andrew B. Kitchen (d. 1840)formed a partnership under the name of Bailey & Kitchen' (1832-46)for the manufacture and sale of silverware,jewellery and associated articles, based at 136 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. In 1846, six years after Andrew Kitchen's death, J. 1: Bailey's brother -E. w: Bailey, Jeremiah Robbins and James Gallagher firmed a new partnership under the name of Bailey & Company' (1846-78). They continued business at the same location until 1859 when they constructed a new building at 819 Chestnut Street. Joseph Trowbridge Bailey II joined the business in 1851 and five years later at the age of 21 he made a partner: In 1878 the latter along with Geotge Banks (formerly of J. E. Caldwell & Co.) and Samuel Biddle (b. Philadelphia 1844 -1919; formerly of Robbins, Clark & Biddle)formed a partnership under the name of Bailey, Banks and Biddle' (1878-94). Biddle retired in 1893 and the following year the business was incorporated with J. T. Bailer II as president, Charles Weaver Bailey (grandson of the founder) as vice-presir nt and treasurer and Clement Weaver as secretary. From 1894 to the present the firm was restyled Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co.' With its growing success in 1903-04 a new modern 10-story building with an 8-story Factory was erected at 1218-22 Chestnut Street.
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