ANTIQUE 19thC INDIAN COLONIAL SOLID SILVER TROPHY CUP & COVER, GORDON & CO c1840
19th Century Indian Colonial silver presentation trophy cup and cover, the massive campana-shaped body on a circular stepped foot chased with flowers and scrolling foliage, the body chased with a band of trailing vine on a matted background, the lower part also chased with scrolling acanthus leaves, extremely fine, crisp and detailed.
The cup was made to be presented 'By the Maritime Ancient Britons Society, to Mr Samuel Reynolds of Shad Thames, Horslydown. As a token of respect to him, for his services to the society. As their Secretary. May 1st 1840.' with a similar inscription on the back in Welsh.
Hallmarked "GG&Co" for George Gordon & Co.
Reference Number: A4280
DESCRIPTION
Antique 19th Century unique and exceptional Indian Colonial solid silver presentation trophy cup and cover, the massive campana-shaped body on a circular stepped foot chased with flowers and scrolling foliage, the body chased with a band of trailing vine on a matted background, the lower part also chased with scrolling acanthus leaves, extremely fine, crisp and detailed.
The body is applied with large dolphin handles, the matching cover is also chased with acanthus leaves and surmounted by a massive cast finial modelled as female (possibly Britannia) with an anchor of floral and shell ground. The design is unique and original, the silversmith is greatly inspired by similar examples in the Regency period by royal silversmiths such as Paul Storr, Benjamin Smith and Robert Garrard.
The cup was made to be presented 'By the Maritime Ancient Britons Society, to Mr Samuel Reynolds of Shad Thames, Horslydown. As a token of respect to him, for his services to the society. As their Secretary. May 1st 1840.' with a similar inscription on the back in Welsh.
The base bearing the Hallmark "GG&Co" for George Gordon & Co, one of the most important dynasty of silversmiths active in Madras since the early 19th Century (see Wilkinson 1987, p.71. George Gordon was later under the partnership of Peter Orr and Alexander Orr (1845-1848), who later founded the firm P. Orr & Sons. This cup is particularly early, as it dates to the 1840. It appears to be one of the largest and heaviest example of early Indian Colonial silver to came up for sale, the only comparable piece in terms of quality and eclectic taste (with a successful coexistence of western and eastern elements) is the soup tureen by P. Orr & Sons, made in 1855, acquired by the Indian Museum the same year and now in the Victoria & Albert Museum (London).
CONDITION
In Great Condition - No Damage.
SIZE
Height: 39cm
Width: 31 x 22cm
Weight: 2665g
