A George III silver-gilt inkstand, Benjamin Smith, retailed by Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, London, 1807

Estimate

40,000 - 60,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

fully marked except rim of one liner and one ring on base, stamped underneath Rundell Bridge Rundell Aurifices Reges et Pricipis Walliae Londini Fecurunt
silver-gilt
length over handles 13 1/4 in.
33.5 cm

the rectangular stand with cut corners, ribbon-bound reeded rim with berried foliage at intervals enclosing swags of fruit, on four paw feet, double-snake handles, fitted with three pots applied with acanthus foliage and pinecone finials, silver-mounted cut-glass liners, one with pierced interior cover.

Provenance

Christie's New York, April 15, 1997, lot 284

Condition

heavy weight, some rubbing to gilding of stand but otherwise good 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.

Catalogue Note

The two earliest known versions of this inkstand are both Royal presentation pieces: one of 1790, by Wakelin & Taylor, presented by George III (Michael Clayton, The Collector's Dictionary of the Silver and Gold of Great Britain and North America, 1971, p. 216, fig. 312), the other 1803, by Digby Scott and Benjamin Smith, presented by the King, Queen, and Princess Augusta (Vanessa Brett, The Sotheby's Directory of Silver, p. 248, fig. 1115).

A Scott and Smith example of 1804 (Christie's New York, October 17, 1996, lot 283) is the first with serpent handles, while the elongated octagonal form appears on one by the same makers in 1805 (Christie's London, June 15, 2004, lot 26). The offered example shows that Benjamin Smith continued to refine the form after the partnership dissolved, adding splayed animal feet when he made this piece in 1807.