Antique solid silver holy water font – Sweden, Helsingborg (circa 1850–1880) – Swedish and Swiss hallmarks

A rare 19th-century solid silver holy water font, hallmarked in Sweden and Switzerland, of remarkable finesse and purity.

This magnificent solid silver holy water font is a testament to 19th-century art and faith.

Crafted in Helsingborg, Sweden, around 1850–1880, it exemplifies the refinement of Scandinavian silversmithing and the precision of precious metalworking at that time.

Its slender silhouette and pure lines recall Nordic liturgical forms, where simplicity enhances the light.

Three hallmarks authenticate its history and its journey across Europe:

Griffin in a shield → Hallmark of the city of Helsingborg (Sweden)

Head of a crowned king → Royal hallmark guaranteeing the silver content (Sweden)

Ram's head → Hallmark of Bern (Switzerland), used in the 19th century for inspected or imported silver items

These hallmarks guarantee a silver content between 830 and 900/1000.
The metal, patinated by time, retains all its brilliance and intensity, reflecting a timeless devotion.

Specifications

Height: 10 cm

Width: 6.5 cm

Weight: 60 g

Material: Solid silver (estimated fineness 830–900/1000)

Origin: Helsingborg, Sweden

Period: Circa 1850–1880

Hallmarks: City hallmark, Royal Guarantee, Swiss Hallmark

Very good original condition.

Slightly patinated silver, smooth surface, clear and perfectly legible hallmarks.

Provenance & Symbolism
Portable silver holy water fonts were common among devout families in the 19th century, often given as gifts for baptisms, communions, or weddings.

This rare piece, which passed through Sweden and Switzerland, symbolizes the circulation of sacred objects in Europe and the universal faith embodied in the silversmithing of that era.

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Ref: JQOEAFL8VI