| Steppes Hill Farm Antiques Newsletter #67 - March 2017 |
 |
(Click on the above image to zoom)
Five Georgian silver Vinaigrettes, all with intricately pierced and engraved unusual interior silver gilt grilles.
For most the interest of an example of virtu lies in its form or decoration, but the feature of the vinaigrette which distinguishes it from any other form of small box, such as a patch box or small snuff box, is the grille. It functions as a second lid to hide a sponge soaked in the aromatic vinegar in place whilst allowing the vapours to escape through its piercings and, together with the whole interior, is protected from corrosion by a thick layer of gilt.
In early vinaigrettes from the 18th and very early 19th centuries, grilles usually have quite simple, geometric patterns of pierced holes but soon piercings became more elaborate and were combined with engraving and bright-cutting. The most frequent designs might be described collectively as 'scrolling' which may hark back to the old watch cocks but, as the nineteenth century progressed, grilles could be said to have burst into flower as flowers and foliage of every kind appear, in formal groups, in luxuriant clusters, in sprays, in pots and in vases. Other examples present symmetrical or geometric compositions and may include a variety of borders too and some may even be associated with a particular maker as with the Linwood single leaf grille or die-stamped basket of flowers.
It is hardly surprising, therefore, that grilles can become an interest in their own right with such a wealth of interest and decorative detail fitted into a very small compass with many designs remarkable as much for their harmony of composition as for the fine craftsmanship. Some come as a delightful surprise hidden within a relatively humble box while others add a further layer to a more unusual one with some obvious categories emerging such as birds and animals, military trophies and 'musical' or 'writing' grilles together with filigree work, other commemorations and references plus, perhaps, the most famous of all, the grilles of the Nelson commemorative vinaigrettes depicting HMS Victory.
The six Georgian Silver Vinaigrettes illustrated above are all currently in stock and the details are as follows:-
A very fine quality George III Nelson Commemorative Silver Vinaigrette, the cover engraved with a portrait of Horatio, Lord Nelson in uniform, his sleeve pinned to his chest, within an oval frame bearing the 'Signal of the Day': "ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN WILL DO HIS DUTY". The base engraved with Linwood's characteristic central flower motif on a plain background framed with double lines of prick dots. The silver gilt interior with hinged pierced grille stamped with a depiction of H.M.S. Victory and "Trafalgar OCTr 21.1805". By Matthew Linwood, Birmingham, 1805.
An extremely rare and fine quality George III London made silver Vinaigrette of rounded rectangular form, the lid and base decorated with fine bright-cut engraved patterns and trelliswork with a Greek-key border. The silver gilt interior with a finely pierced and engraved grille depicting a camel amongst fern like fronds. By John Brough, London, 1805.
An extremely fine and rare George III London made silver Vinaigrette of large shallow rectangular form, the lid and base bright-cut engraved with flower sprays on a hatched chequered ground. The silver gilt interior with a finely pierced and engraved grille depicting military paraphernalia including a cannon, flags, drums and a helmet. By William Eley, London 1803.
An extremely fine and rare George III silver Vinaigrette rectangular cushion shape, the lid bright-cut engraved with seaweed in panels and a vacant oval cartouche, the base engraved with a contemporary presentation inscription; "S.Jackson, The Gift of Mrs Pover, 17th Oct' 1812". The silver gilt interior with finely pierced and engraved grille depicting a Running Hart amongst flowers and foliage. By Joseph Willmore, Birmingham 1811.
A rare George III silver Vinaigrette of rounded rectangular form with curved base, the lid with a central rectangular cartouche engraved with contemporary initials 'E.J', within bands of cross-hatched engraved decoration also echoed on the sides and bordering the base. The silver gilt interior with pierced and engraved "Musical Grille" depicting a Lute a Horn and Sheet Music within symmetrical flowering scrolls to either side. By John Allen IV & Joshua Butler I, London 1802.
A rare George IV London made silver Vinaigrette of rounded rectangular form with plain reeded decoration to the base, lid and sides. The silver gilt interior with finely pierced and engraved grille depicting an open book and a quill pen amongst flower stems. By William Edwards, London 1823.
(Please click on the links to see more details)
(Please click on the link to see more details)
This month's featured item is a fine and rare Victorian silver and enamel Vesta Case of Sentry Box form with hinged peaked lid, the face enamelled with a trooper from 'The Royal Horse Guards (The Blues). The cover stamped with the Registration Number 38283.
By Sampson Mordan, London 1886. Marked on lid and body.
This is one from a series of silver and enamel Vesta Cases depicting 'Soldiers of the Queen' produced by Mordan around the time of Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887. It was originally thought that the Sentry Box Vesta was limited to a series of perhaps 10 or 12 different examples made specifically for the Jubilee. Around 25 plus different Regiments have now been recorded
The Royal Regiment of Horse Guards (The Blues) (RHG) was a cavalry regiment of the British Army, part of the Household Cavalry.
Founded in August 1650 at Newcastle upon Tyne in County Durham by Sir Arthur Haselrig on the orders of Oliver Cromwell as the Regiment of Cuirassiers, also known as the London Lobsters, the regiment became the Earl of Oxford's Regiment during the reign of King Charles II. As the regiment's uniform was blue in colour at the time, it was nicknamed "the Oxford Blues", from which was derived the nickname the "Blues." In 1750 the regiment became the Royal Horse Guards Blue and eventually, in 1877, the Royal Horse Guards (The Blues).
The regiment served in the French Revolutionary Wars and in the Peninsular War. Two squadrons fought, with distinction, in the Household Brigade at the Battle of Waterloo. In 1918, the regiment served as the 3rd Battalion, Guards Machine Gun Regiment. During the Second World War the regiment was part of the Household Cavalry Composite Regiment. The Royal Horse Guards was amalgamated with the Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons) to form the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) in 1969.
On ceremonial occasions, the Blues and Royals wear a blue tunic (inherited from the Royal Horse Guards, also known as "the Blues"), a metal cuirass, and a matching helmet with a red plume worn unbound, and against popular belief the regiment's farriers wear a red plume like the rest of the regiment but do not wear the metal cuirass. In addition, the Blues and Royals wear their chin strap under their chin, as opposed to the Life Guards, who wear it below their lower lip. On service dress, the Blues and Royals wear a blue lanyard on the left shoulder, as well as a Sam Browne belt containing a whistle. In most dress orders, the Waterloo Eagle is worn on the left arm as part of dress traditions. The Blues and Royals, as part of the Household Division, does not use the Order of the Bath Star for its officer rank 'pips,' but rather the Order of the Garter Star.
Just one year prior to this vesta case being made, The Blues were seeing action in North Africa.
In 1885, the famous Charles Gordon was being besieged in Khartoum. The government of the day dillied and dallied before sending out a relief expedition in 1884/5. The cavalry had to give up their beloved horses and take the more suitable, if irascible, camels. Time being of the essence, the expeditionary force was forced marched through some of the most inhospitable country to try and reach Khartoum before 'The Mahdi' could take it. However, the force nearly came to its own demise at a series of wells called Abu Klea. Some 16,000 of the Mahdi's followers descended upon the tiny British force which had formed in to a square. In the ensuing battle, wave after wave of Dervishes attempted to break the British square but were beaten off. Colonel Burnaby of the Blues was killed in the fighting, as was Corporal Mackintosh who was killed whilst attempting to extricate the Colonel from his precarious position. Fortunately, the square held and the Dervishes were beaten off by superior discipline and firepower. The expedition could continue its advance, but only to find out that Khartoum had fallen to the Mahdi just days before they had arrived there and that Gordon was dead. |
|
 |
 |
Once again I am pleased to be able to update the site this month with over 30 new items of stock and some highlights include; an early 20th Century Arts & Crafts Silver Dip Pen set with a Moonstone by Omar Ramsden, a Victorian Silver Mounted Thomas Webb Red Cameo Glass Scent Bottle, a rare George III Silver Red Leather covered Travelling Penner / Inkwell, a Victorian Antique Silver 'St Johns Parish Church Preston' Vinaigrette, a 20th Century Arts & Crafts Silver & Enamel Tea Strainer by Bernard Instone, a commemorative Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria Silver & Enamel Propelling Pencil, a Victorian Novelty Silver & Porcelain Lotus Flower Bud Propelling Pencil, and a set 6 Victorian Cast Silver Naturalistic Teaspoons plus matching Tongs.
I do hope that you will find this Newsletter informative and helpful and will allow us send it to you on a regular basis. I would welcome any feedback you may have, both positive and negative.
David W.A. Buck.
Steppes Hill Farm Antiques |
|
 |
 |
|
