THE "EXTRAORDINARY" GIFT!
There always seems to be that certain "something"that has completely eluded us!
Too big, too small, too fancy, too plain, wrong size, wrong color, not their style...
It happens each Christmas (or birthday, or anniversary...)
Daily we, too, cull the western world for special "something’s" we cannot resist.
That is half the fun of this trade -
( the other half is often finding out exactly what that "something" is ).
The range of those "something’s" is wide :
in size, in price and function - if it even has one - other than pure delight.
Our only requirement is that the "something" in some regard be :
"EXTRAORDINARY"!
Here Is Our "Short - & Shippable"
"SPECIAL SOMETHING!"
List :
( Hopefully you too might find a something too you cannot resist.
And if not, we hope you share our pleasure - simply in looking. )
SILVER
( And An Aside ) :
In the first segment of History Channel’s "The Story of All of Us",
an early scene depicts mankind -
now upright and in our 'hunter-gatherer' stage of development.
A group of hunters is shown amongst the African savannah tall grasses,
peering intently through the openings for two important needs :
'game' ... and 'the sparkle of water'.
It is said that from this early time, the allure
of the sparkle of water, of diamonds,
and of silver
has been firmly implanted in our DNA.
I can further attest that all very young children entering this gallery exhibit the same allure -
both to the shine of silver...and the polished brasses and trim on the furniture.
So may we suggest a few of our "Extraordinary’s"for your "Shiny-Shiny" DNA fix :
George III Silver Lidded Tankard, Langlands & Robertson, Newcastle, 1782
Of heavy gauge silver with bright-cut and engraved cover,
lending a bit more elegance and grace than this usual form;
also by an excellent Newcastle maker, Langlands & Robertson,
and having a hefty weight of 27.8 oz.
Fine Pair of George III Cast Silver Candlesticks, William Cripps, London, 1766
In the rococo manner, each crested to base and bobeche with
an eagle displayed with two heads sable
(family of Hanrott, of the City of London) :
and having a particularly lovely and restrained expression of the rococo -
as one might expect from silversmith William Cripps,
"an accomplished craftsman and a versatile exponent of the rococo style"
Pair of George III Matthew Boulton Old Sheffield Plate Wine Coolers, England, c1815
Each of campana shaped vase form centering to each side
the Marital Arms of Halliday and Harvie,
each foot verso with twin suns having faces mark;
Of course Matthew Boulton needs no introduction -
his mark denotes fine quality.
FOR THE IRISH AMONGST US :
Top : Early George III Irish Silver Hook-End Soup Ladle, Joseph Cullen, Dublin, 1763
the upper shaft engraved in the Irish manner with
'foliage descending from a terminal cartouche crested with "a cherub's head".
Some mistakenly identify this sort of foliate engraving as the “later Victorian”;
however this is indeed the 18th century Irish method of large spoon decoration.
Middle : George III Irish Silver Rattail Straining Spoon, James Scott, Dublin 1818
the terminal crested with a demi-lion rampant in dexter paw a crescent
Bottom : George III Irish Silver Bright-Cut Meat Skewer, John Power, Dublin, 1780
A quite attractive skewer with fine bright cutting to each side,
the oval engraved with a falcon, on breast a lozenge
Rare Mid-17th Century Silver "Tasting" Cup England, Unmarked, c1640-70
A British cup, shaped in the Portuguese fashion prevalent at the time,
that would have been passed around the table for sipping ("tasting") wines.
This cup differs in several ways from the "wine taster" or "tastevin",
and known in Portugal as a "Bernegal".
Click for more interesting aspects regarding this small rare piece of silver.
A RATHER "EXTRAORDINARY" PIECE OF EARLY PORCELAIN :
From the former collection of Geoffrey Godden (1929-2016),
who over five decades created a body of reference work on British ceramics
that has added greatly to our knowledge of the medium :
Rare First Period Worcester Rococo-Moulded Bough Pot England, c1770
What makes early British porcelain so appealing to me is that,
unlike Meissen in Saxony and Sevres in France,
there was no royal patronage -
only the desire to make a ceramic as hard as the imported Chinese,
that could hold water hot enough to make - tea.
Pottery was not - would often split - and silver often changed the taste of the tea,
a pound of which in the early 18th century
was equal to a year’s salary for most people.
Worcester was one of the first to make such a ceramic,
in 1751, from a mixture of soaprock, with clay and sand.
FINE ART :
Martha Walter, "Brittany", (American / Pennsylvania, 1875-1976 )
Oil on canvas, Housed in an antique Stanford White style frame
Estate stamped and numbered 272.
Loosely painted on coarse canvas, depicting a Brittany Nanny hovering over a child's bassinet
the rich deep value and outlining reminiscent of the early paintings of Van Gogh,
yet with added accents of vibrant and luminous color.
Martha Walter’s early studies included William Merritt Chase at Pennsylvania Academy.
Her early work actually shows Chase's strong influence - particularly with her brushwork, and use of
rich saturated colors, combined with her adept application of the very difficult 'black paint'
(the latter often omitted in the general course of American Impressionism).
Ms. Walter not only went on to teach art at Chase's New York School of Art,
but was his subject in Chase’s portrait below :
Ms. Walter remains one of the favorite painters of early 20th century American Impressionism,
with works in numerous museums and important private collections.
...AND WOOD
Furniture and 'furnishings' from wood have been with us since mankind could
put two sticks together for service, much less for beauty.
However, the period from c1695 to 1830 represented a particular
culmination of skills and craftsmanship, with works made for perfection -
the monies a byproduct of their skills and quality of craftsmanship.
Actually, I see the wares of this time period simply as
"3-dimensional sculpture with a function".
Better furniture (and carved wooden artistries) of this period
existed equally for use - and for aesthetic enrichment.
And being surrounded them is akin to being amongst "fine art",
but art that you can also touch - and use - and "good for whatever might ail you"!
From our "wooden" stock, we suggest these two rather singular - and shippable - selections,
each beautifully designed, unusually scaled and unique in its own way :
Rare Pair of Georgian Turned Gonçalo Alves Adjustable Candle-Stands
England, Early 19th Century
Ref : Pinto, "Treen And Other Wooden Bygones",
pp.117-18, pl. 121 : "Candle-Stands"
Although these stands were originally made and offered in pairs,
most offered today appear to be only as single examples
Additionally, the timbers are magnificent!
Shown with
Pair 18th Century Silver Neoclassical Tapersticks, c1770
each nozzle interior marked with a bird in flight
However these adjustable stands are suited to many uses beyond simply lighting.
George III Mahogany Upholstered Large Stool, England, c1775
The unusual large serpentine seat with a double row of close-nailed tacks
raised on tapering mahogany legs ending in brass caps and casters,
the size (17.5" High x 31" Wide x 28.5" Deep)
doubling well as both stool and "coffee table"
And, To Visit Our First Two Christmas Catalogs :
"Aperitifs and Cordials, A Few Befitting Vessels & Related Trivia"
May Your "Just Deserts" be only ... "Just Desserts"
Please click on the images and titles above for the detailed pages.
And do call or email should you wish additional information or prices.
IN THE MEANTIME, WE WISH YOU
'HAPPY HUNTING'...
& THE VERY BEST ! OF HOLIDAY SEASONS
Millicent Creech
Anna Bearman
Camille Fleischauer
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