One of the most elegant and unique sterling silver pieces in the Replacements museum is the Stieff Rose Basket. Kirk Stieff designed the Rose pattern as a celebration of the rose, which for centuries has been the floral symbol of love. Artists at the Kirk Stieff Silver Co. wanted to hold captive in sterling silver the spirit of this exquisite flower. In 1892, the Stieff Silver Co. released the Rose/Stieff Rose silverware pattern. Today, the Rose pattern remains one of Stieff’s most popular patterns.

This beautiful basket is a fine example of the hollowware that was produced to accompany the Rose flatware pattern. The basket’s design was applied by punching a rose motif from the outside of the silver piece. This process is known as “repousse chasing.”

A basket this large is generally used as a flower centerpiece or fruit basket. From handle to foot, this piece is more than 18 inches tall. The opening of the basket is 14 inches wide. Using the backstamp and inventory numbers stamped on this piece, our researchers were able to date this basket to 1922. If you would like to know more about the history of the Kirk Stieff Co., then click here. While this particular museum piece is not available for sale, you can click here to view hollowware pieces in the Rose pattern that are for sale. If you are interested in purchasing pieces from the Stieff Rose sterling flatware collection, then click here.

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