Hi Laura,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Lazarus Posen Witwe (WW) was a prominent German silversmithe known for exquisite Judaica and silver wares produced in Frankfurt am Main and later Berlin, around the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Founded in 1869 by Brendina Wetzler, the widow (“Witwe”) of Lazarus Jacob Posen—a Polish-born silversmith—the firm was named Lazarus Posen Witwe after his death. Under Brendina’s leadership, and later her son Jacob, the workshop became Germany’s largest Jewish-owned maker of Judaica, expanding to a second location in Berlin by the early 1900s. In 1903, the firm received a prestigious royal warrant, confirming its elite craftsmanship. The business was likely dissolved in the 1930s due to Nazi persecution of Jewish enterprise. The business is listed in Berlin at Unter den Linden 5 and 65, appearing in advertisements from 1926 and again in 1937 .

The German standard for silver was 800 parts per 1000, compared to the sterling standard of 925 parts per 1000, so the value is a little different if this is .800 German silver vs .925 sterling; I'm basing my evaluation on the assumption - because this was made in Germany - that this is German (.800) silver but if it's sterling and you see a .925 or STERLING mark, please let me know.

Other German cup and spoons sets were given as baptismal gifts, which is likely what this is for. Related ones have sold at auction recently for between $150 and $300.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A vintage German silver children's egg set
made by Lazarus Posen, Berlin, Germany, between 1926 and 1937
Comprising a rounded egg cup on three chicken-form legs and a long spoon, in the original fitted and lined box. (Marked?)
(DIMENSIONS)
CONDITION: This appears to be in good condition
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$ 150-300*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia