Already in anticipation,
we already gather in celebration - from near and
far - as friends and family.
Christmas season gatherings always seem to embody a
special spirit -
going beyond nationality and particular faith :
one of kindness, warmth and welcome.
These gatherings have long centered about the
best of food and "fermented" spirits,
which themselves have become symbols of the
Christmas celebration -
as well as their very special seasonal presentation.
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THE SPIRITS :
Fermented spirits have been part of
celebrations since about 7000 BC.
Even prehistoric pottery shards show fermented spirits for "ritual" use.
Remember the First Miracle at
Cana.
Throughout all history, both spirits and
their presentation have held places of honor -
in ceramics, wood,
glass and fine metals.
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It was not until c1770 AD that the elegant "stoppered" glass decanter
was
introduced -
the decanting ensuring that a clear liquid, without sediment, could
be served at the table.
This highly reflective glass,
filled with the
rich color of wine (or juices if you prefer)
and fitted with the proper "decanter jewelry" -
further transforms both the presentation and enjoyment.
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Good Pair of George III 3-Ring Cut
Glass Decanters
England or Ireland, c1800-1810
Of "Prussian" shape, with three
annulated rings above a diamond prism cutting
and two bands of fine vertical
fluting; original cut bull's eye stoppers
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The
Accoutrements :
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The Tastevin
(Wine Taster) :
Wine tasters
date to the 14th century, most being from France.
Each
accommodates only a small amount of wine,
and must reflect
enough light to truly judge the color of the wine.
Many have
embossing to the metals, the most usual being
rays
(ojoohons) to reflect light through the white wines,
and cuplets
(cupules) to deepen the red hues.
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Louis XV / XVI Provincial Silver Tastevin
Mid 18th century
Heavy gauge, twisted serpent
handle,
engraved
I . GREGOIRE
(Gregory)
Marked verso for Antoine II Parrel |
South American Silver Tastevin
Probably Brazil 19th Century,
The
deep ovoid silver bowl and suspended by two joined sea serpent
loops;
Crown over ?, and another rubbed mark |
First Standard French Silver Tastevin (Wine Taster),19th Century
With
traditional ojoohons, &
cupules
Minerva 1st Standard;
possibly Alfred Feau (Paris 1875-1913)
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The Glass :
The wine glass itself further adds to the sensual nature of the
event,
particularly when it brings history with it.
These typical mid-18th century
drawn funnel glasses
are quite large, heavy, sturdy,
and suitable for today's table use.
They are also readily available, in
case of breakage - or extra guests.
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Nine Plain Stem Drawn Trumpet
Bowl Georgian Wine Glasses
England, c1750-65
(priced
individually)
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The Silver
Tumbler : |
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William & Mary Silver Tumbler Cup,
London 1692
Of quite large size,
IC in a shaped punch, a mullet below;
Bearing arms for the family of Rogers
(Rodgers, Roger)
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Tumblers date from the
17th century,
designed so that the above
spillage would
not occur when a pretty face
momentarily distracted a gentleman.
Its
heavier base would cause the cup
to right itself, thus preserving both
his drink - and dignity. |
Early George III Silver Tumbler
Caldecott, London, 1764
Of quite heavy gauge silver
with good crisp marks;
Gilded to the interior and
without monogram or removal |
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And The Beaker :
Beakers date
to the earliest times in pottery.
There was
even a western European Neolithic culture named "Beaker
Folk".
The cylindrical
vessels arrived in Britain about 2500 BC.
Some excavated
early pottery beakers contained "meadowsweet pollen"
-
still used today
to flavor beer and the drink "mead".
Although small
silver beakers were commonly used in England from
c1560-1685,
late
17th century glass production overshadowed the British
silver beaker,
reducing
its occurrence thereafter.
We are quite
pleased to offer the Queen Anne example below left (1702),
and this quite
desirable pair (1783).
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Queen Anne Britannia Silver
Beaker
William Gibson, London, 1702
Good marks along the upper
rim
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Pair of George III Silver Beakers
John Lambe, London, 1783
Crested with a mermaid holding a
dagger
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Some Stands
for Your Spirits : |
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George III Brass-Bound Cuban Mahogany
Cellaret
on Stand, England, c1765
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Good Regency
Rosewood Stand
England, c1815 |
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THE
TABLE : |
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The Ceramics : |
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Set of 6 Chinese Export
Mandarin Dinner Plates, c1760
Finely painted with a mandarin scene,
within a grisaille and iron red cell diapered rim;
This type of border does not post-date
1760.
These would make excellent "service
plat
SOLD |
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Qianlong Chinese Export Gilt-Petaled and
Famille Rose Punch Bowl
China, c1765-70, 12" Diameter
Of additional interest to 18th century British
porcelain collectors,
influencing Worcester Lowestoft and Chamberlains copies from c1760-1790
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The Silver :
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Set 4 George III Old Sheffield Plate Candlesticks, c1815
England, c1815
Each 10" High
(and quite reasonably priced)
For additional candlesticks and candelabra, please click
here
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George III Silver Adjustable Dish Cross
George Aldridge & Henry Green, London, 1773
With original adjustable legs
and burner; each piece marked
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George III Old Sheffield Plate Meat Dish
Matthew Boulton, Birmingham, c1810-15,
Bearing the Double Sun with Face
mark
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The Argyle
:
An argyle is
a wonderful alternative to the sauceboat.
It was
designed by the Duke of Argyll (Scotland) to keep gravies
warm
though use of
an exterior hot water jacket (or interior cylinder).
The best
juices pour from the bottom, whilst the fattening part
rises to the top -
thereby
saving probably 100 calories per serving!
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George III Matthew Boulton Old Sheffield Plate Argyle
Birmingham,
England, c1810
With conjoined script initials G
aR;
the
verso with double sun mark |
Early George III Silver Argyle
London, 1768
TJ in an oval
punch (Grimwade #3841)
Engraved with a Viscount's Coronet Above a Script T |
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The Service : |
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George II Silver Hash Spoon, William Soame
London,
1735
The terminal engraved with the initials GFA, 14.5"
George III Silver Large Basting
Spoon
Richard Crossley, London,
1806
Crested for
the family of Ormesby (Ormsby)
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Georgian Silver
Meat Skewers
(each linked separately)
Silver
meat skewers usually date between 1780 and 1840.
Of late, they have come much into fashion, both for collectors and for use
at the table.
After removing the aluminum or steel cooking skewer,
the silver skewer is inserted to hold the meat together while carving.
George IV Silver Meat Skewer,
William Chawner, London, 1831
George III Silver-Gilt Meat Skewer,
Richard Crossley, London, 1802
George III Silver Meat Skewer,
Joseph Barnard, London, 1801 |
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Pair Edward VII Silver Irish Dish-Ring
Form
Napkin Rings,
Williams Ltd, Birmingham, 1905
A rare pair of napkin rings
in the Irish dish-ring form;
Irish dish-rings (often
erroneously called 'potato rings')
were introduced to support hot
dishes in the 18th century.
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For
information please click or inquire :
George III Mahogany Two-Pedestal Table
Marrow Scoops
:
MARROW SCOOPS : A Collection from Queen Anne to George III
Queen Anne
Britannia Silver Forks - just arrived - please inquire
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Suggested Stands
for Desserts : |
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The
'Annunciation', the 'Nativity' and the 'Journey of
the Magi' have inspired
some of
the most extraordinary art in the history of mankind.
From the
more stoic medieval art to the full blown
renaissance, the examples are rich and myriad.
We have
chosen three works to illustrate this celebrative
Christmas season.
Each is
remarkable in its own way.
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Depicted above is the Late
Renaissance oil on canvas, "Adoration of the
Magi",
from the ceiling of the
Chapel of the Rosary, Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo, Venice.
It was painted in 1582 by
the leading
Venetian painter of ceilings, Paolo Veronese,
expressing
within a quatrefoil a
joyfully
unrestrained and celebrative 'Nativity'.
To
view larger representations and a few details on
this painting and its ceiling setting,
please click
here or on the
image above.
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