Sugar bowl, Art Nouveau, nickel-plated brass, design by I. Taschner, Germany, early 20th century

A sugar bowl designed by Ignatius Taschner in the early 20th century, this piece is an example of early modernist German craftsmanship referencing Jugendstil aesthetics. Made of nickel-plated brass, it features a cylindrical body with simple lines and a matte, silvery finish with patina discolorations. Characteristic details include organically curved, slender handles on the sides and a flat lid with a hexagonal nut and spherical knob—combining utility with subtle ornamentation. The surface shows numerous signs of age: abrasions, scratches, small dents, and repair marks, especially a replaced handle on the lid. The sugar bowl is devoid of additional decorations, typical of a utilitarian approach to form. Condition: shows clear signs of age, authentic patina, and repairs consistent with its period. The form of this sugar bowl reflects the spirit of the early 20th century: clean lines in dialogue with the organic nature of Jugendstil, yet the whole remains subordinate to everyday function. The metal, though bearing traces of oxidation and daily use, speaks to an object that has survived many household gatherings and mornings at the table. The replaced handle on the lid attests to a continuous utilitarian history, where conservation details interact with the old design without disturbing its balanced austerity. The sugar bowl can fit into a collector's interior celebrating original details or on a shelf with antique everyday dishes. It can be paired with porcelain from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries or minimalist ceramics, highlighting the contrast between the rawness of metal and the delicacy of glaze. It also works well in eclectic arrangements with Art Nouveau elements and among patinated metal accessories, emphasizing both its function and collectible pedigree.