An Important Pair of English Parcel-Gilt Silver Torah Finials, Charles Hougham, London, 1790
Lot Closed
June 16, 07:05 PM GMT
Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
An Important Pair of English Parcel-Gilt Silver Torah Finials, Charles Hougham, London, 1790
of substantial weight, modelled on traditional prototypes from Hamburg, Amsterdam and London, of hexagonal baluster form, formed of cast and pierced sections, with chased borders of palm and acanthus, strapwork and shellwork, on partly matted ground, suspending four rows of silver-gilt bells-the top two rows in arched domes, the central row from applied rings above open cartouches suspending further bells, the staves with beaded top borders and base borders of multiple moldings, silver-gilt crown finials, fully marked on staves, and part marked on all sections and bells, (some bells replaced)
Height 17 1/4 in.
44.cm
92 oz
2861 g
Charles Hougham, son of Solomon Hougham of the parish of St. John in the county of Surrey, linen draper, entered his first mark as smallworker in 1769 with address in Aldersgate Street. Between 1790 and 1796 he is listed as a partnership- Charles and Solomon Hougham, goldsmiths, still at the same address. He died in 1793( Arthur Grimwade, London Goldsmiths and their Marks 1697-1837).
A Pair of finials by Solomon Hougham 1794 was formerly in the Zagayski collection, now in the Jewish Museum New York, JM28-64a,b.
The present finials are close to the pair by Abraham de Oliveyra London 1730 at Bevis Marks Synagogue. Another pair of this model by him of 1725 are in Jewish Museum London. This is a remarkable statement of the continuing popularity of this traditional form, starting around 1650 in Amsterdam and Hamburg, in the face of changing fashions. Neo-classic examples in the late 18th century could be made much more economically, using sheet metal instead of heavy and expensive castings.
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