Ellis Finch
Head of Knightsbridge Silver Department
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Lot 491
An early 18th century silver two-handled cup and cover Edmund Pearce London, no date letter circa 1720,
Amended
15 – 16 February 2022, 10:00 GMT
London, Knightsbridge£3,000 - £5,000
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An early 18th century silver two-handled cup and cover
Edmund Pearce London, no date letter circa 1720,
Engraving probably attributable to Ellis Gamble, conventional inverted bell form with an applied reeded and moulded banded girdle, raised on a domed foot, the upper section finely engraved and flat chased band of scrolls, leaf motifs and flower heads, engraved below with later engraved coat of arms in a shield reserve and on the opposite side with later crested monogram in an oval reserve, surrounded with diaper-work embellished cartouches and flanked by figural terms issuing from scrolls and over a matted ground, domed foot with engraved similar engraved band, hatching and fish-scales, leaf-capped scroll handles further engraved, the cover with similar decoration and later crested roundel, large disc knop finial, gilt interior.
Underneath of foot with later engraved presentation inscription "Julia Neilsen-Terry A token of affection from her devoted friends and public 21st March 1888 to 21st March 1938", height 31cm, weight 80.3oz.
Engraving probably attributable to Ellis Gamble, conventional inverted bell form with an applied reeded and moulded banded girdle, raised on a domed foot, the upper section finely engraved and flat chased band of scrolls, leaf motifs and flower heads, engraved below with later engraved coat of arms in a shield reserve and on the opposite side with later crested monogram in an oval reserve, surrounded with diaper-work embellished cartouches and flanked by figural terms issuing from scrolls and over a matted ground, domed foot with engraved similar engraved band, hatching and fish-scales, leaf-capped scroll handles further engraved, the cover with similar decoration and later crested roundel, large disc knop finial, gilt interior.
Underneath of foot with later engraved presentation inscription "Julia Neilsen-Terry A token of affection from her devoted friends and public 21st March 1888 to 21st March 1938", height 31cm, weight 80.3oz.
Footnotes
Julia Neilsen-Terry (British, 1868-1957) was an English romantic actress. Born in London, Julia was the daughter of Alexander Ritchie Neilson, a silversmith and jeweller, and Emily Davis, and was a cousin of three other well-known actresses of the Davis family, Lily Hanbury, Hilda Jacobson, and Nora Kerin. She made her first appearance (1888) in W.S. Gilbert's 'Pygmalion and Galatea' and in 1890 she married Fred Terry, brother of the celebrated actress Ellen Terry. Julia became famous for her acting in plays such as 'A Woman of No Importance', 'The Prisoner of Zenda', 'Sweet Nell of Old Drury', and 'The Scarlet Pimpernel'. Her greatest success was as Rosalind in 'As You Like It' (1896). She visited the U.S. in 1895 and again in 1910. In 1900, she and her husband went into management and for the next 30 years played and toured with their own company. She retired from the stage at the end of her run as Josephine Popinot in the revival of 'Vintage Wine' at the Victoria Theatre. On the 21st of March 1938 she was fêted with a celebration luncheon honouring the fiftieth anniversary of her first professional stage appearance. This early 18th century silver two-handled cup and cover is the gift presented to her on that occasion, as signified by the touching inscription. Neilson's memoirs, 'This for Remembrance', were published in 1940.
Literature
For a comparable example of engraving see Charles Oman, 'English Engraved Silver 1150 - 1900' Faber and Faber, 1978, page 93 illustration number 107.
Ellis Gamble was a master engraver of the early 18th century, one of his more talented pupils was William Hogarth.
Likely to be the later arms of PONSONBY quartering COOPER.
Saleroom notices
Please note the estimate for this lot is £3,000-5,000 and not as previously published.