Eugen Marcus Silver Centerpiece, ca. 1900

Appraised on: July 9, 2011

Appraised in: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Appraised by: Ronald Bourgeault

Category: Silver

Episode Info: Minneapolis, Hour 2 (#1617)

Originally Aired: May 14, 2012

IMAGE: 1 of 5  

Appraisal Video: (1:00)

GUEST: It was something that was left in the house that my mother and father bought in Pacific Palisades in California.

APPRAISER: Did they know anything about it?

GUEST: Not that I know of.

APPRAISER: It's quite a spectacular piece of silver. It was made in Berlin around 1900 by a man by the name of Eugen Marcus. It's what is known as continental silver. It's 800 parts silver rather than 925 parts, as our American sterling is. I did some research on the silversmith, and there are very few large masterpieces like this that he made. Most of what he made were sets of silver flatware, made for the German market and also for the export market. The auction value of this piece would be between $5,000 and $7,000.

GUEST: Hmm. Well, that's nice.

APPRAISER: Nice to have it left in the house, isn't it?

GUEST: Yes.