Is It A Find

Hello Dan, As a wedding gift in the late 1940s, my parents were given this beautiful sterling silver bowl. It measures 9.5 x 3.5" and is signed on the base "Stone, Sterling, C." It has sat in our closet since we received it from their estate, wrapped in a silver cloth bag. I am thinking of giving it to my granddaughter as a wedding gift, she is getting married in September, but before I do I wanted to know what information you may have on this bowl. Thank you,Mary Greetings Mary, What a lovely sterling bowl you have inquired about. The "c" on the base indicates it was made by Edgar L. Caron, one of Arthur Stone's master silversmiths. Arthur Stone was born in 1847 in Sheffield, England. At the young age of 10, his father died leaving the family impoverished. He was forced to find a trade in order to support his widowed mother. At the age of 14 he began his apprenticeship to become a master silversmith. At the same time, he began studies at the Natural School of Design. Upon the completion of his studies in 1884, he relocated to the United States to take a job at silver craft shop in Concord, New Hampshire. Three years later, he took a head position at the prestigious Frank W. Smith Silver Company in Gardner, Massachusetts. In 1901, he opened his own shop in the same city, were he crafted sterling silver flatware, bowls, teapots, trays and other various goods. He was extremely successful and had 18 different master craftsmen worked under him. In 1937, at the age of 90, Arthur retired and sold the business to Henry Heywood. Heywood kept the shop operational under Stone's name up until the mid-1950s. Your bowl was made under Henry Heywood's ownership, which is indicated by the stylization of the maker's mark on the base. Early pieces made by Arthur Stone himself will command a hefty premium. Given the condition of your bowl and lack of a monogram it could realize upwards of $1,800! It would be best to leave the patina in its current state. It would make a great wedding present, just make sure your granddaughter understands its worth and how to care for such a piece. I appreciate you taking the time to share with us your find and I look forward to other questions you may have.