JAMES BLAKE STERLING SILVER LOVE’S DREAM NUTS BON BON DISH UNGER BROS LOOK-ALIKE

STUNNING!
A wonderful dish meant for nuts or bon bons, but would look amazing when displayed in your curio cabinet.
The pattern is of course James E. Blake Co.’s version of “Love’s Dream,” of Unger Bros. fame.
The design is taken from mythology and features the god Cupid tenderly kissing Psyche to bring her back to life. They are surrounded by heavenly clouds as this is the moment of the actual kiss and Psyche has not yet emerged from her lifeless slumber. She presents passively, while Cupid urgently but tenderly clasps her face in his hand so that his kiss to her lips will be true.
Executed in flawless lavish repousse, the border is comprised of gorgeous Nouveau swirls and (4) gargoyle portraits. The dish is in wonderful condition except for one small issue (will detail later in listing).
All details are sharp and crisp, with no rubbing or flattening and no dings or dents. The edges are perfect.
What’s utterly amazing about the edges is that they are doubled-walled. This would have meant creating a template in roughly the shape of the border (with its many curves and dips), soldering it in place and shaving off any excess. Incredibly time and labor intensive for a feature that doesn’t even show!
NOTE:
THE LONE ISSUE TO MENTION IS A TINY HOLE IN VENUS’S HAIR FROM OVER A CENTURY OF POLISHING.
Weighs 2.5 oz. on a postal scale approx 71 grams.
HISTORY:
In the 1892 Attleboro,Ma. Jeweler’s Directory, the original incarnation of the company is listed as a design and manufacturing firm headed by partners James E. Blake and Edward P Claflin called Blake & Claflin (founded 1889). The company was the result of a controlling interest buy out of Sturdy & Co., facilitated by the fact that Sturdy was owned by John Francis Sturdy, which just happens to be James’ wife’s maiden name.
At some time in the 1890’s, Blake must have bought out Claflin, because in the 1903 Attleboro Directory, James E Blake is listed as the president of The James E Blake Co, William H. Blake is the secretary and Ezekiel Blake is the treasurer. Ezekiel was the bookkeeper/ accountant of the original Blake & Claflin.
The James E Blake Co incorporated in 1922 and was in business until 1938. Judging by the U S Federal Census records, by their ages it would appear that both William and Ezekiel were the older brothers of James.
Blake’s was a huge and highly prosperous firm, employing dozens of workers.
They were located at the corner of south Main and Mill Streets.
They manufactured a wide range of goods in sterling silver, but also in German Silver.
Items produced in German Silver (an alloy of copper, zinc and nickel, sometimes also containing lead and tin) were stamped with their registered trademark “STERLINE” and included vesta /match safes, cigarette and carte de visite cases, vanity and grooming sets, etc.
Sometimes these items were plated in silver, but otherwise German Silver contains no actual silver. Many sellers on eBay mistakenly list these as sterling.
Items manufactured in solid sterling silver were stamped STERLING with the JEBCo logo and the model number.
The last image shows 2 photographs (courtesy of SMPublication) taken c. 1920. Interesting to think that one or more of those individuals had a hand in making this beautiful dish.
A great addition to any collection.
Thanks for looking!
USA SALES ONLY