No. 100154021

Sold
Erik Nordvall, Sundsvall, (1754–1805) - 1779, "Charka" - Cup - Silver - liqueur / spirit cup
Final bid
€ 55
2 days ago

Erik Nordvall, Sundsvall, (1754–1805) - 1779, "Charka" - Cup - Silver - liqueur / spirit cup

This appears to be a small antique Swedish charka (a traditional spirit or liqueur cup), likely from the late 18th century, based on its design, engravings, and the details you provided. I'll break down the identification step by step, drawing from the visible features in the images, standard Swedish silver marking practices of the era, and historical context. Overall Description and Style Shape and Dimensions: The cup has a classic charka form—flared bowl tapering to a narrow stem with a circular foot. Your measurements (height 12 cm, rim diameter 5 cm) are consistent with 18th-century Swedish liqueur cups, which were typically small (1-2 oz capacity) for serving aquavit or other spirits. The stem shows signs of hand-forming, with slight irregularities and a visible seam or join at the base, suggesting manual craftsmanship rather than modern machine production. Material: silver, The weight of 50.4 grams is light for solid silver of this size, indicating thin walls (common in period pieces to conserve metal). If silver, it would likely be .800 or .830 fineness, standard in Sweden at the time. The interior shows some pitting and oxidation, typical of age and use. The bottom view reveals no lining or plating, and the foot has wear from handling. Decoration: The bowl features engraved motifs, including what looks like a stylized insect (possibly a dragonfly or bee) and foliate or vine patterns with dotted borders. These are hand-engraved, not cast, and evoke Rococo influences popular in Scandinavian silverware around 1750-1790. The engravings are shallow and worn, consistent with 200+ years of age. Hallmarks and Maker Identification Date letter: Partially gone, but its V for 1779 Maker's mark: "EN" for a maker Erik Nordvall) Sundsvall town mark Regarding the maker Erik Nordvall: Historical records of Swedish silversmiths from Sundsvall in the 1780s are sparse online, and no direct matches for "Erik Nordvall" appear in hallmark directories or auction archives. Sundsvall had active guilds, and makers like Johan Berg or others are documented, but Nordvall may have been a local artisan not widely recorded. If "E N" is the mark, it could fit (Swedish makers often used initials). Alternatively, it might be a misreading—similar names like "Anders Nordwall" (a 20th-century silversmith) exist, but not from 1780.

No. 100154021

Sold
Erik Nordvall, Sundsvall, (1754–1805) - 1779, "Charka" - Cup - Silver - liqueur / spirit cup

Erik Nordvall, Sundsvall, (1754–1805) - 1779, "Charka" - Cup - Silver - liqueur / spirit cup

This appears to be a small antique Swedish charka (a traditional spirit or liqueur cup), likely from the late 18th century, based on its design, engravings, and the details you provided. I'll break down the identification step by step, drawing from the visible features in the images, standard Swedish silver marking practices of the era, and historical context.
Overall Description and Style

Shape and Dimensions: The cup has a classic charka form—flared bowl tapering to a narrow stem with a circular foot. Your measurements (height 12 cm, rim diameter 5 cm) are consistent with 18th-century Swedish liqueur cups, which were typically small (1-2 oz capacity) for serving aquavit or other spirits. The stem shows signs of hand-forming, with slight irregularities and a visible seam or join at the base, suggesting manual craftsmanship rather than modern machine production.
Material: silver, The weight of 50.4 grams is light for solid silver of this size, indicating thin walls (common in period pieces to conserve metal). If silver, it would likely be .800 or .830 fineness, standard in Sweden at the time. The interior shows some pitting and oxidation, typical of age and use. The bottom view reveals no lining or plating, and the foot has wear from handling.
Decoration: The bowl features engraved motifs, including what looks like a stylized insect (possibly a dragonfly or bee) and foliate or vine patterns with dotted borders. These are hand-engraved, not cast, and evoke Rococo influences popular in Scandinavian silverware around 1750-1790. The engravings are shallow and worn, consistent with 200+ years of age.

Hallmarks and Maker Identification

Date letter: Partially gone, but its V for 1779
Maker's mark: "EN" for a maker Erik Nordvall)
Sundsvall town mark

Regarding the maker Erik Nordvall:

Historical records of Swedish silversmiths from Sundsvall in the 1780s are sparse online, and no direct matches for "Erik Nordvall" appear in hallmark directories or auction archives. Sundsvall had active guilds, and makers like Johan Berg or others are documented, but Nordvall may have been a local artisan not widely recorded. If "E N" is the mark, it could fit (Swedish makers often used initials). Alternatively, it might be a misreading—similar names like "Anders Nordwall" (a 20th-century silversmith) exist, but not from 1780.

Final bid
€ 55
Jeroen Zoetmulder
Expert
Estimate  € 150 - € 200

Similar objects

For you in

Silver & Gold Decor

Set a search alert
Set a search alert to get notified when new matches are available.

This object was featured in

                                        
                                                                                                    
                    
                                        
                                                                                                    
                    
                                        
                                                                                                    
                    
                                        
                                                                                                    
                    

How to buy on Catawiki

Learn more about our Buyer Protection

      1. Discover something special

      Browse through thousands of special objects selected by experts. View the photos, details and estimated value of each special object. 

      2. Place the top bid

      Find something you love and place the top bid. You can follow the auction to the end or let our system do the bidding for you. All you have to do is set a bid for the maximum amount you want to pay. 

      3. Make a secure payment

      Pay for your special object and we’ll keep your payment secure until it arrives safe and sound. We use a trusted payment system to handle all transactions. 

Have something similar to sell?

Whether you're new to online auctions or sell professionally, we can help you earn more for your special objects.

Sell your object