- 188
A massive Victorian silver pilgrim flask, Robert Garrard, London, 1868
Estimate
40,000 - 50,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- marked on body below rim and cover
- silver
- height 30 1/2 in.
- 77.5 cm
of typical form, Bacchus mask handles, engraved on each side with arms, crest, supporters, and motto, the base with presentation inscription "PRESENTED TO WILLIAM JONES LOYD. AND GERTRUDE LOYD, ON THE CELEBRATION OF THEIR SILVER WEDDING BY LORD OVERSTONE. 21. JUNE. 1873."
Provenance
Collection de Madame X; Christie's, London, 4 March 2004, lot 421.
Condition
dings and shallow creases throughout, otherwise good, crisp condition
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
Samuel Jones Loyd (1793-1883) was created 1st Baron Overstone of Overston and Fotheringay, co. Northampton in 1850. He succeeded his father as head of the family bank, Jones, Loyd and Co., in 1844. He was one of the main contributors to the Bank Charter Act of 1844 and opposed the decimalisation of the currency. He supported the poor-law reforms and was chairman of the Irish Famine Committee. He married Harriet, daughter of Ichabod Wright of Mapperley Hall, co. Nottingham, in 1829. He died in 1883 leaving an only daughter Harriet and an estate which was valued at over 2 million pounds, in addition to 30,000 acres of land.
Pilgrim Flasks
The pear-shaped form of the pilgrim flask has its roots in the leather water flask carried by the pilgrim or traveller of the Middle Ages. Particularly grand flasks with fine cut-card work were produced in the late 17th and early 18th century. Contemporary prints, such as Martin Engelbrecht's representation of the great silver buffet in the Rittersaal at the Berliner Schloss, circa 1708, indicate that they were arranged on side buffets during formal banquets. When placed in wine cisterns, they also served to decant wine.
Late 17th and early 18th century examples provided the inspiration for Edward Farrell and Robert Garrard in the 19th century. These revival pieces were also used as grand display plate. Many of the examples by Garrard were presented by the Royal Families of Europe, such as those exhibited, London, English Silver Treasures from the Kremlin, Sotheby's, 1 January – 28 January 1991, no. 111, which were given by the Royal Families of Greece and Denmark to the Tsar Alexander III on his marriage to Marie Fedorovna in 1866. Another Royal pair by Garrard of 1866 was given to King Christian IX of Denmark, and was sold in the Collection of King George I of the Hellenes, Christie's, London, 24 January 2007, lot 303. A pair of pilgrim flasks in the Royal Collection are illustrated in E.A. Jones, The Gold and Silver of Windsor Castle, London, 1911, p. 36.
Pilgrim Flasks
The pear-shaped form of the pilgrim flask has its roots in the leather water flask carried by the pilgrim or traveller of the Middle Ages. Particularly grand flasks with fine cut-card work were produced in the late 17th and early 18th century. Contemporary prints, such as Martin Engelbrecht's representation of the great silver buffet in the Rittersaal at the Berliner Schloss, circa 1708, indicate that they were arranged on side buffets during formal banquets. When placed in wine cisterns, they also served to decant wine.
Late 17th and early 18th century examples provided the inspiration for Edward Farrell and Robert Garrard in the 19th century. These revival pieces were also used as grand display plate. Many of the examples by Garrard were presented by the Royal Families of Europe, such as those exhibited, London, English Silver Treasures from the Kremlin, Sotheby's, 1 January – 28 January 1991, no. 111, which were given by the Royal Families of Greece and Denmark to the Tsar Alexander III on his marriage to Marie Fedorovna in 1866. Another Royal pair by Garrard of 1866 was given to King Christian IX of Denmark, and was sold in the Collection of King George I of the Hellenes, Christie's, London, 24 January 2007, lot 303. A pair of pilgrim flasks in the Royal Collection are illustrated in E.A. Jones, The Gold and Silver of Windsor Castle, London, 1911, p. 36.