Lot 137
A George III tureen and cover Y
£1,512
Auction: 7 March 2023 at 10:00 GMT
Description
Benjamin Smith II & Benjamin Smith III, London 1817 (to cover and dish), of moulded rectangular outline with a gadrooned border, the domed cover with a gadrooned border to inside, a beaded border to top above engraved marital armorials to either side, with an acanthus clasped handle, the silver-plated liner and base of plain rounded rectangular form, with scroll handles and raised on four ball feet with gadrooned detail and ivory bases
Dimensions
Footnote
Note:
Benjamin Smith II 1764-1823
Benjamin Smith was born in Birmingham in 1764, he began his career with the industrial magnate Matthew Boulton, before moving to London and later embarking on a partnership with his friend and silversmith Digby Scott in 1802. Their workshop in Greenwich supplied Rundell & Bridge, silversmiths to the crown and where they would have worked alongside the eminent silversmith Paul Storr; many believe their work comparable in quality to his.
It would seem that Benjamin preferred to work in partnership with other silversmiths, rather than independently, however these collaborations were always short lived, though why is unclear. He also worked with his brother James and for this tureen with his son Benjamin III, although this for only for a short time.
In the wake of George III’s failing health, he was deemed unfit to rule, and thus the Prince of Wales succeeded as Prince Regent in 1811 until his father’s death in 1820. This period offered new beginnings with more influences from the continent and the French Empire style filtering through. The swags of applied fruiting vines, foliate motifs and Bacchus masks were all motifs which were a clear nod to the emerging Regency style, the acanthus handle of the tureen exemplifies the care and detail during this period.
Note:
With non-transferable CITES self-certification number: 1BF8MXNK
Please be aware that this lot contains material which may be subject to import/export restrictions, especially outside the EU, due to CITES regulations. Please note it is the buyer's sole responsibility to obtain any relevant export or import licence. For more information visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/imports-exports/cites/
