Orivit, WMF / Geislingen - Herman Gradl - Centrepiece (2) - Identical crystal bowls on tin feet. - Tin, Crystal - Unique Art Nouveau

Unique Pair (2) of Antique Art Nouveau Fruit Bowls / Tazzas – WMF & Orivit (ca. 1900–1905)

These identical bowls offer a glimpse into the industrial history of German ornamental pewter during its heyday around 1900. This set is special because it is what is known as a “transitional pair,” from the period when the famous WMF factory took over its competitor Orivit (1905).

The bowls are visually identical: an ornate metal base with 4 feet decorated with detailed cherubs (putti/cupids) and bellflowers (the typical Flora decoration used by Orivit designers such as Hermann Gradl or Carl Sigmund Luber), supporting a beautiful, heavy-cut crystal bowl mounted with a central screw fitting.

Bowl 1 (Orivit): Stamped with the early Orivit/Orion mark (a three-triangle cloverleaf) and casting numbers 1 and Ɛ. This is early, original production from the Cologne foundry. As a result, the details on the cherubs’ faces are very crisp. The crystal bowl is free of chips.
Bowl 2 (WMF): Marked only with model number 39, with a 4 also just barely visible. This example was probably cast by WMF shortly after 1905 using the original Orivit mold that it had acquired.
The crystal bowl on this example has tiny little chips. I have tried to capture them in a photo.
Condition: Both bowls are in very good antique condition. The original screw fittings are present and work well.
The crystal bowl has a diameter of 18.5 cm
The whole piece is 20 cm high
The base measures 13 cm from foot 1 to 3.
Bowl depth approximately 4 cm
See the photos for details.