ANTIQUE 19THC GEORGIAN SOLID SILVER IMPRESSIVE FIGURAL CENTREPIECE, B SMITH 1829
19th Century Regency Silver centrepiece / comport, on a triangular base embellished with acanthus leaves and flowers, cast anthemion feet, the sculptural cast stem modelled as two young cherubs sitting on a tiger holding a large openwork basket, the border applied with a grapevine motif. Hallmarked English silver (925), London, year 1829 (o), Maker's mark "BS" for Benjamin Smith.
Reference Number: A3686
19th Century Regency Silver centrepiece / comport, on a triangular base embellished with acanthus leaves and flowers, cast anthemion feet, the sculptural cast stem modelled as two young cherubs sitting on a tiger holding a large openwork basket, the border applied with a grapevine motif. Hallmarked English silver (925), London, year 1829 (o), Maker's mark "BS" for Benjamin Smith.
Reference Number: A3686
19th Century Regency Silver centrepiece / comport, on a triangular base embellished with acanthus leaves and flowers, cast anthemion feet, the sculptural cast stem modelled as two young cherubs sitting on a tiger holding a large openwork basket, the border applied with a grapevine motif. Hallmarked English silver (925), London, year 1829 (o), Maker's mark "BS" for Benjamin Smith.
Reference Number: A3686
DESCRIPTION
Antique 19th Century large and impressive Regency Solid Silver centrepiece / comport, on a triangular base embellished with acanthus leaves and flowers, cast anthemion feet, the sculptural cast stem modelled as two young cherubs sitting on a tiger holding a large openwork basket, the border applied with a grapevine motif.
The stand bears the original Coat of arms and family crest for the Hichens (or Hichins) family, and the original memorial inscription contemporary to the piece: "Presented to Robert Hichens Esq. by the directors and shareholders of the Arigna Iron and Coal Company in testimony of their admiration of the manly & honorable spirit with which legal proceedings were instituted to bring to light & defeat the fraud that had been practiced upon the company & in grateful remembrance of the indefatigable zeal & industry with which those proceedings have been followed up".
The long inscription is original to the piece, being connected to a major lawsuit of 1828 between Robert Hichens on behalf of the Arigna Iron and Coal Company and some shareholders and agents. The centrepiece was commissioned and given to Robert Hitchens for having uncovered a fraud against the shareholders' interest.
The quality of the model is outstanding and inspired by a pair of identical dessert stands by Paul Storr made in 1808 for Rundell, Bridge and Rundell.
Each part is Hallmarked English silver (925 standard), London, year 1829 (o), Maker's mark "BS" for Benjamin Smith, important Royal silversmith working at the same level of Paul Storr, specializing in impressive presentation pieces and services, most of them are now in the Royal Collection and Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The base is further hand-engraved with the artist's signature "B. SMITH DUKE ST. LIN INN FIELDS FECIT".
CONDITION
In Great Condition - No damage.
SIZE
Total Height: 36.3cm
Base Width: 26.5cm
Bowl Width: 27cm
Total Silver Weight: 3740g