An Edwardian sterling silver arts and crafts side dish / bowl, London 1907 by Latino Movio (1858 - 1949) for Holland, Aldwinckle & Slater

Of rectangular form with scalloped corners, the corners with cast and applied angle masks. The sides with finely embossed floral motifs including barbed roses, all against a textured ground. Raised on four cast openwork shell and scroll bracket feet. Signed LM to the reverse. Fully marked to the front.

Length – 20.7 cm / 8.1 inches

Weight – 349 grams / 11.22 ozt

The facsimile signature of Movio has been noted on Arts & Crafts silver pieces hallmarked between 1901 and 1907, bearing the sponsors mark of Johnson, Walker & Tolhurst, Goldsmiths and Silversmiths, Henry and Arthur Vander as well as Holland, Aldwinckle & Slater. Little is known about his life and work other than, he appears in the 1911 census as an Italian 'artist in metal repoussé'.

Given the style of his work, and the date when his signature begins to appear on silver, it seems probable that he was employed in the workshop of Gilbert Marks whose output ceased around 1902 due to failing health. Marks had previously worked for Johnson, Walker & Tolhurst and at whose showrooms he exhibited his silver from 1895 to 1901. Movio likely continued to work for them along with other retailers on his own account after leaving the employ of Marks, applying his own signature in the same style. Movio last appears as a 'chaser' in a 1934 trade directory.

A covered bowl signed Movio of 1903 for Holland, Aldwinckle & Slater, sold Bonham’s Knighstbridge, 3 June 2009, Lot 319 (£1,250 incl. premium)