California Arts&Crafts Handwrought Copper Vase/ Mission

Fine antique Arts and Crafts copper vase, originating in California and decorated with rivets, hammering, and the image of a Mission.

This piece is unsigned and measures 7.5" tall, with the base measuring 5" square.

The vase retains it's beautiful original reddish brown patina and dates to 1905 - 1915.

The vase was made with a distinctive Arts and Crafts form and technique ... starting with a square base, a cylindical body with a wavy riveted seam running vertically up the back, and an everted wavy top rim.

The hammerwork is beautifully done and somewhat reminiscent of the work of Elizabeth Eaton Burton.

The front of the vase has a hand-stamped, impressed stylized image of a Spanish Mission, or a building made in that style. Looking at the image closely you can see a bell in the tower and a cross-orb finial on the top of the building. I have thought that perhaps this piece was made to be sold at The Mission Inn, at Riverside, California (which had the 'Cloister Art Shop' that sold Arts and Crafts metalware and other pieces), or made perhaps at, or for, one of the gift shops at a California Mission.

This piece was found in San Francisco at an estate sale.

This vase is entirely handmade, handwrought from a medium weight copper. The back has six rivets and the base or bottom is a separte piece, seamed together with the body at the rim. There is no sign of a signature and I'm not sure which shop or metalsmith made the piece.

This vase is in excellent condition, as shown in the photographs.

The patina is original and in geat condition with virtually no wear. The only thing I see that might be considered damage is a 1/16" (or less) split at the rim, which may have been made during the making of the piece, as there is a small amount of brass solder around the split. This split is towards the back of the vase and only visible upon close inspection.

This is a fine example of California decorative Arts and Crafts metalwork.