MARIUS HAMMER SILVER PLIQUE VIKING SHIP SALT
Marius Hammer (Norwegian 1847-1927) Plique enamelware and sterling silver salt in the form of a Viking longboat. Marked "MH 930s" to the base, with figural dragon heads at each end. Plique is a form of enamel work giving a similar effect as stained glass.
Weight 20.2g Size: 2" x 1.5"

Condition: No damage or repairs, no enamel loss, a few enamel panels are cracked with tiny surface chips, marks clear, engraved 930s

Marius Hammer was the son of master goldsmith Lauritz Johan Hammer (1812-1874), who had a workshop in Bergen. He was apprenticed to his father but undertook further studies in Hamburg and Berlin. He was officially licensed as a goldsmith in 1871 when he took over his father's workshop and went on to further develop under his own name.

Hammer specialized in filigree and enameling and produced substantial amounts, targeting in particular, the tourist market. He also produced a large volume of silver holloware of superior artistic merit.

The company was incorporated in 1915 with Hammer's son Torolf at the helm, but Torolf died soon after in 1920.
Hammer's other son, Max, subsequently took over, but he, too, died in 1927, as did Marius Hammer himself.
The company ran into serious economic difficulty and went bankrupt in 1930.