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tline3open  Bavarian: Handarbeit

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Author Topic:   Bavarian: Handarbeit
NicolaLinza

Posts: 15
Registered: Apr 2003

iconnumber posted 02-01-2005 01:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NicolaLinza     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Can anyone provide me with information on the Bavarian firm Handarbeit? I ask, as in our family collection we own a finely made coffee/tea set with a large handled tray by the firm which is made in brass. I don't know if these pieces (in brass) were that common, or commissioned as a one-off by my family. Any information greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

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Brent

Posts: 1507
Registered: May 99

iconnumber posted 02-01-2005 01:31 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Brent     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
"Hardarbeit" actually means "Hand Work" or "Handmade" in German. So, the word describes how the set was made, and is not the name of a manufacturer. There may be a trademark of some kind on the set which could help to identify the maker.

At least you can be fairly certain the the set is indeed crafted by hand, and is from Germany, Austria, or possibly another German speaking region.

Hope this helps!

Brent

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Arg(um)entum

Posts: 304
Registered: Apr 2002

iconnumber posted 02-01-2005 01:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Arg(um)entum     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
"Handarbeit" is not a firm. It means 'Hand made'.

The term can be found both on work of small individually working craftsmen and occasionally of that of some more substantial companies or cooperatives. If there is no other marking on the pieces then you'll just have to enjoy them without ever knowing who made them.

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NicolaLinza

Posts: 15
Registered: Apr 2003

iconnumber posted 02-01-2005 01:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NicolaLinza     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you. Yes, I did know that the name meant "hand work" in German, that stated, I thought there may have been a firm by that name as well. I will examine the piece for other marks. Thank you for confirming that it isn't a firm name. If I find a mark I'll post.

The quality of the work leads me to believe that the individual who made this, or the firm, had to have been working primarily in silver or gold. Thanks again.

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NicolaLinza

Posts: 15
Registered: Apr 2003

iconnumber posted 02-01-2005 01:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NicolaLinza     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I think I may have an answer to the acutal maker. I found another piece with a name and city. The word stamp of HANDARBEIT is identical. Does anyone recognize the name, Otto Lautenschlager/Stuttgart? Thank again.

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NicolaLinza

Posts: 15
Registered: Apr 2003

iconnumber posted 02-01-2005 02:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NicolaLinza     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Forgive my previous post. I see now, with further research, that the HANDARBEIT stamp in caps was used by a number of German, or German speaking firms.

Btw, there is a dealer who has a silver set claiming that Handarbeit is or was a German silver company. I haven't found confirmation of that as fact.

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Arg(um)entum

Posts: 304
Registered: Apr 2002

iconnumber posted 02-01-2005 02:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Arg(um)entum     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just from poking around the net it seems that Lautenschlager is a name that occurs with some frequency in Stuttgart and that there was a 'Otto Lautenschlager' who was a writer. Could your piece bear an inscription to him?

That's all I can find out. Sorry!

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NicolaLinza

Posts: 15
Registered: Apr 2003

iconnumber posted 02-01-2005 02:49 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NicolaLinza     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
No, the specific name isn't on our piece, I saw it on another piece with the same HANDARBEIT stamp in caps.

I have sent the coffee pot to a well-known restorer, as a slight dent needs to be addressed. I have also posed the question to him if it could be gold over silver. Was German or the German speaking countries, silver always hallmarked?

Thanks in advance.

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Arg(um)entum

Posts: 304
Registered: Apr 2002

iconnumber posted 02-01-2005 04:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Arg(um)entum     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
"German speaking countries" takes a different meaning at various times in history. But if we want to restrict ourselves to what we normally consider them to be today (i.e. Germany, Austria, Switzerland), then I would say yes. However, you can never exclude exceptions such as a small shop making something on order and the patron wanting to save the cost of having it processed; since it wasn't being offered for sale the only one who would have had cause for complaint is the patron. You can construe odd circumstances such as these almost at will but their actual occurrence would have been rare.

I suggest that you post one or more pictures. There are people on this board that can derive a great deal from an item's style and workmanship (not me unfortunately).

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NicolaLinza

Posts: 15
Registered: Apr 2003

iconnumber posted 02-01-2005 04:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NicolaLinza     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Here is an image of the service.

I'll have to find out if it is brass or gilt over silver, either way you can see the quality. The large pot is being repaired.

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