A Victorian silver and enamel altar set, Barkentin & Krall, London, 1911

comprising a oval form crucifix and five altar sticks in sizes of tripod form, the crucifix with lapis bosses, all with intricately applied red, blue, yellow and green cold enamel, raised on hound's head supports, constructed in sections, lead core, the majority of pieces with additions hallmarks, the crucifux fully marked and stamped KRALL on reverse

The design of this altar set is in keeping with the remarkable output of Barkentin & Karall during the company's later years. Not only were they well known for their output of religious silver but they also produced 'silver and silver-mounted objects, usually decorated with enamels and gems, which had been designed by the architect, William Burges (1827-1881)¹. The present lot is a perfect example of this period's output. It is worth noting that it relates stylistically to a pastoral staff by the same maker, London, 1889 in the collection of the Landaff Cathedral, Wales.² Other related examples produced by them and listed by Culme are a silver altar and bronze and silver altar rails for St. Mark's Philadelphia, 1907/8 and the silver and bronze pulpit at Sandringham church.³

1. John Culme, The Directory of Gold & Silversmiths Jewellers & Allied Traders 1838-1914, Vol. 1, Antique Colletor's Club, London, 1987, p.26.
2. Victorian Church Art , Exhibition November 1971 January 1972, Victorian & Albert Museum, London, 1971, p.133.
3. Culme, p.26.