Ellis Finch
Head of Knightsbridge Silver Department
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Lot 510
GERALD BENNEY: A rare and important aluminium and 'vitreous' enamelled coffee perculator, from the Benney Family Archive unmarked, by Adrian Gerald Sallis Benney, this his first work created whilst at the Royal College of Art, London, circa 1951
19 – 20 April 2016, 10:00 BST
London, KnightsbridgeSold for £3,125 inc. premium
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GERALD BENNEY: A rare and important aluminium and 'vitreous' enamelled coffee perculator, from the Benney Family Archive
unmarked, by Adrian Gerald Sallis Benney, this his first work created whilst at the Royal College of Art, London, circa 1951
Tapering and flared cylindrical form, elongated tapering spout and curved angled handle, white enamelled interior, interior fitted with an aluminium pierced covered drum, the lid centred with a clear plastic disc and angular handle, height 25.2cm.
Tapering and flared cylindrical form, elongated tapering spout and curved angled handle, white enamelled interior, interior fitted with an aluminium pierced covered drum, the lid centred with a clear plastic disc and angular handle, height 25.2cm.
Footnotes
Provenance: From the Benney Family Archive.
Illustrated: Graham Hughes, 'Gerald Benney Goldsmith The story of fifty years at the bench' (1998) page 28
Gerald Benney was one of the most outstanding and influential British goldsmiths of the 20th century. During a career spanning more than 50 years, he was the first British craftsman to hold four Royal Warrants simultaneously. As well as designs in silver, in his early years Benney also used other materials to design a range of products including clocks, lamps and prams. His work can be seen in many collections worldwide, including those of the Victoria and Albert Museum and Goldsmiths' Company.
In those early years Gerald showed great commercial success and skills towards designing for mass production. At the RCA Gerald successfully experimented with many different techniques and materials and used to make prototype models for industrial production.
This pot represents one of Gerald's designs and the first created whilst at the RCA. After the RCA his industrial designs were varied and successful.
The design of the current piece heavily influenced Gerald's later silver coffee pots (see lot 511).