Art Deco Pewter Bowl by Sylvia Stave, Sweden, 1932

Elegant pewter bowl by renowned silversmith Sylvia Stave, made in 1932 for the Stockholm firm C.G. Hallberg. The bowl features four stylised shell motifs applied to the rim, characteristic of Swedish Art Deco design. A discreetly etched inscription on the base, "Av vänner 1932" ("From friends, 1932”), lends a subtle sense of personal history. It presents a rich patina and surface wear throughout, consistent with nearly a century of use. Sylvia Stave (1908–1994) is considered one of the most significant figures in Swedish modernist design. She was appointed artistic director of C.G. Hallberg at just 23, designing in silver and pewter throughout the 1930s, though she abandoned her career entirely after moving to Paris in 1940 — the reasons for which remain one of the great mysteries of twentieth century Scandinavian design. Her work is held in the collections of Nationalmuseum, among others.