In November 2010, after Thanksgiving I went ahead and purchased a book from Germany, written by Johanna Gehrlein. She just did publish her first book about silver flatware with Roses. Johanna, like me, did fall in love with these pieces of art long time ago and started collecting them. She too has been searching all over Germany to find other pieces and then she wanted to know more about them. What is the pattern name? What company do the silver marks stand for? So obviously she got into it head over heels. It took a lot of research and some four years of work but the result is superb! A very informative book and a joy to read as well. Just check her website Rosen-Bestecke or find her on Rosen-Bestecke as well as Silber-und-Rosen-Shop.
You don't need to worry about the language barrier as she is fluent in English!
Both of us became almost instantly friends; the kind of kindred spirits that seem to have found each other after having shared half a life together with so many common interests! What a joy when her book arrived in the mail! I was hospitalized at the time with a rare auto-immune disease, diagnosed later with polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis but what a treat to finally come home and dig into this fabulous book. She was so gracious for writing an added personal inscription page for me... That I will treasure forever!
Just want to show here a photo of her book and also some of my rose silver flatware that I’ve collected over the years. Together with some solid silver and silver with enamel pill boxes in varies sizes.
For those of you searching for Hildesheimer Rose Silver Flatware, I do have several pieces for sale... not yet all photographed and listed on my Boutique but please do ASK!
Quite remarkable is the pierced pie and cake server which is on the cover of the book's bottom, and at the very top in my photo above. In that pattern I also have 6 pastry forks, a butter knife and some two-toothed forks.
When comparing those gorgeous pieces that are photographed so well in her book, one has to think about the favorite Alvin, Bridal Rose pattern here in the USA. Replacements Ltd. does have it and one can check the pictures on line from the different items. That Bridal Rose Pattern I love very much but it is rather expensive, also due to it being very popular and sought after. For anyone wanting to start out with a collection, email me as I do have lots of different and beautiful pieces from Germany.
Why is silver tableware with a rose pattern so popular in Germany? It came all about because of a legend and a thousand year old rose bush. You can read more on this Unesco World Heritage Site where one can still visit the remarkable rose bush.
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| Tausendjähriger Rosenstock |
- The 1000-year-old rose tree in the apse of the Hildesheim cathedral which is connected with the establishment legend of the diocese. It belongs botanically to the native wild kind of Rosa canina, literally Dog Rose and blossoms delicate pink.
- So over the ages many a silversmith got inspired by this legend and each one of them tried to capture the beauty of the rose into a silver art form. Some pieces are truly breathtaking! I have to warn you that you might get addicted to roses too… After all, it is the most popular flower in the entire world!
- Happy collecting and if you need more info; ask me anytime!
Dear Mariette,
ReplyDeleteyour enthusiasm for the book Rosen-Bestecke is really contagious. Now I also understand why you really needed this book. As I see, you've got a remarkable collection of beautiful roses flatware. Surely you could find this silverware in the book, and assign the manufacturer. Especially the big pierced cake server looks like silver lace. It is a very rare and decorative item and one of my favorites. I can imagine how wonderful it embellishes your festive tea parties with your silver and porcelain and tablecloth from lace. The photos on your homepage from this teaparties shows how tasteful you arrange all this things.
I wish you a lovely springtime, Johanna