Table knife set (13) - Tin, Silverplated, Metal

Antique Art Nouveau Silver-Plated Knife Set with Stand – Warsaw, Early 20th Century, 12 Pieces

A magnificent complete set of 12 knives presented in a breathtaking Art Nouveau knife stand (porte-couteaux), made in Warsaw at the turn of the 20th century. The ensemble is a remarkable example of the Jugendstil aesthetic applied to fine table silverware, combining exceptional decorative artistry with practical elegance.

The stand is a sculptural masterpiece in its own right — rising on a trilobed base richly chased with flowing organic scrollwork and wave motifs, the stem narrows into an elegant waisted column before opening into a pierced basket of whiplash tendrils and budding flower forms. The tall arched handle terminates in a fully modelled floral finial, all executed in the sinuous, nature-inspired vocabulary of the Art Nouveau movement. Some natural patina and verdigris present, consistent with age.

The knives feature ornately chased silver-plated metal handles decorated with floral and foliate Art Nouveau motifs — buds, tendrils and curvilinear flourishes — each with a bolster separating the handle from the blade. All 12 knives are uniform and fully metal throughout.

Hallmarks (visible on blades and stand base):

WARSZAWA — city of manufacture, Warsaw (Russian Empire / Poland)
1/0 — premium European silver plating grade, indicating a heavier than standard silver deposit
Maker's rectangular stamp on blades — Warsaw silversmith
"M" — additional maker's or quality mark

Details:

Material: Silver-plated metal throughout
Number of pieces: 12 knives + 1 stand (13 pieces total)
Stand height: 300 mm
Knife length: 160 mm each
Total weight: 735 g
Origin: Warsaw, Russian Empire / Poland
Period: circa 1900–1915 (Art Nouveau)
Condition: Good antique condition; stand shows natural age patina and areas of verdigris consistent with age; some wear to silver plating on knives; stand base partially damaged — please see photographs for full details

A rare and visually spectacular table set for collectors of Art Nouveau decorative arts, Polish antique silverware, or antique cutlery and table accessories.