'BEAKERS' & 'BEACONS'

'BEAKERS' : A GATHERING OF 'GRAILS':

As the 'story' goes, King Arthur has just been charged by God (in the cloud)

with the sacred quest of finding the Holy Grail of the Last Supper -

and seeing (also in a cloud) a barely discernible iridescent cup :

‘Look well, Arthur ... for it is your sacred task to seek this Grail’.

The awe-filled Arthur begins his quest …soon encountering a French castle - in England.

He implores the Guard to tell his master, Guy de Loimbard,

that for food and a night’s shelter, he too can join the Grail quest.

However the French Guard responds with unassailable disinterest :

He's already got one.

King Arthur, puzzled by his response, challenges the soldier - who reassures :

Oh yes, it's very nice!

Arthur, stunned, asks,

Can we come up and have a look?

Access denied! - repeatedly.

Thus, it is with some disillusionment that Arthur’s quest gets going

…. and having only one dreadfully fuzzy shape (in a cloud) as a guide,

.... A GOBLET ?

A very fine vessel

centering an arm clad in shimmering steel…holding aloft… A SCIMITAR !

(If you recall, Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite,

had held 'aloft' Excalibur from the water, signifying Arthur was to carry the enchanted sword.)

A George III Silver Goblet

John Swift Jr., London, 1779

Of heavy gauge silver, with original gilt interior, as well as lovely beaded girdle and foot,

the bowl crested for Jolliffe of Somerset

or .... 'A BEAKER' !

This particular 'gu' form of beaker dates to China's Neolithic period, along the Yangxi River

Chinese Gu 'ritual vessels' in bronze date from the 11th-13th centuries (Shang Dynasty).

First Period Worcester Porcelain 'Gu' Beaker

England, c1765-70

Somewhat rare, this is a rather faithful British copy in porcelain,

trumpet-shaped with knopped lower section above a flaring foot (as has a goblet);

an underglaze hatched crescent mark verso

Cylindrical 'BEAKERS' date back at least 6000 years - abundant in Biblical times.

These simple tapering vessels, traditionally for alcohol, came into Britain about 2500 BC.

There was even a western European Neolithic culture named "Beaker Folk".

British silver beakers are usually made in three parts :

the sides from a sheet which is hammered into the round, then seamed vertically; 

the base and foot wire applied separately - construction varying little through time.

That said, silver beakers are comparatively rare from Queen Anne period :

A Queen Anne Britannia Silver Beaker

William Gibson, London, 1702

Of heavy gauge silver in the Charles II form, the tapering circular body with

a part-fluted lower section below a rope-work border sided by punched decoration

A George III Silver Beaker

Aaron Lestourgen, London, 1774

With original gilt interior and crested with a cross above an ermine chapeau

(for the family of Kirkby of Northwest England)

and

A George III Silver Beaker

Charles Wright, London, 1775

with Arms the Browne family (Essex and Suffolk)

most likely either Anna Maria or Charlotte Brown (Ipswich),

prior to their respective marriages, as evidenced by the 'true lovers' knot' above

While beakers are a good candidate for Arthur's sought-after 'Grail',

these lovely small 'silver beakers' were commonly used in England only after c1560....

Sorry Arthur!

.... A 'GLASS VESSEL' ?

So with all this muddle, Arthur and his knights forge on through repetitive (ridiculous) trials.

Still being unable to meet the commands of his quest, Arthur becomes utterly disheartened -

particularly since he doesn't know exactly where-or-what-he-is-seeking!

He and his Knights (Robin, Belvedere, Launcelot, and Galahad) decide

 it might be easier to find the illusive Grail if each searches separately.

...Robin the 'not-so-brave' just runs away…

'Yes, Brave Sir Robin turned about

And gallantly he chickened out!'

'BECKONING BEACONS' :

Meanwhile !! … Sir Galahad is led to the Castle Anthrax,

by a very brightly lit 'beacon'…in the form of a glowing golden 'grail'!

He pounds the door, demanding entry and to see 'the Holy Grail'.

However, this castle is home to ladies of some 'question',

one being the naughty Zoot, who frequently

sets light to their 'fake grail-shaped neon beacon'.

Galahad : It's not the real Grail?

It’s a 'SWEETMEAT'.

George II Pedestal (Silesian) Stem Sweetmeat Glass*

England, c1740

The quite heavy ogee bowl above a multi-teared knop and

6-sided moulded pedestal (Silesian) stem

with triple ring teared basal knop - a magnificent piece of glass!

*Sweetmeat refers to sweet foods or delicacies prepared with sugar or honey,

 particularly candies and candied fruit.

In the 17th century, creation of such delicacies became possible in part

due to the importation of large quantities of sugar from Brazil and Caribbean.

They were served in small goblet-form glassware, in ceramics, and in small silver baskets.

As well, the fork - condemned by early 17th century British clergy ('furca' means  'pitchfork'!) -

was allowed only for succulent - and sticky - sweetmeats!

Fortunately, Galahad is swept away by Launcelot from the dangers of Anthrax Castle.

And so he continues with King Arthur and his fellow knights,

enduring even more ludicrous trials in their totally unsuccessful search for the Holy Grail.

However .... DESPAIR NOT !

It seems that their humble search still continues today....

looking within any cupboard, church or noble castle.... always diligently…

for that 'beacon of enlightenment', on the horizon

(or in the clouds),

always heeding these wise and hopeful words :

(....music....)

"Always look on the 'BRIGHT' side of life…"

A Mid-18th Century Cast Silver Harlequin Taperstick

England, c1745-55

The small harlequin standing on a mount,

his raised arms supporting a fluted drip pan and spool form socket.

The harlequin taperstick apparently has no corresponding candlesticks!

(...the music continues...)

"Cheer up, Brian. You know what they say.

Some things in life are bad,

They can really make you mad.

Other things just make you swear and curse.

Always look on the 'BRIGHT' side of life!"

A Good Pair of George III Silver Candlesticks

John Roberts & Co, England, 1813

The baluster and waisted standards with floral and upright acanthus leaf embossing

 over anthemion-embossed shaped hexagonal bases with gadrooned edges,

 each base and bobeche bearing an engraved crest :

 a stag’s head erased, attired

(...more music!...)

"When you're chewing on life's gristle,

Don't grumble, give a whistle!

And this'll help things turn out for the best.

And

Always look on the 'BRIGHT' side of life!"

Good Set of Four George IV Silver Candlesticks

Creswick & Co., Sheffield, England, 1820

 Of excellent quality and form,

 the tapering stems with vertical columns of acanthus leaves,

the knops and gadrooning of acanthus and flowerheads; fully marked to the footrims

"….Always look.... on the 'BRIGHT'.... side of life!"

“Venus”, depicted above on the 8-pointed  star, with a mirror and musical instrument.

The planet Venus - so bright in the night sky -

is known both the 'Evening Star'and the'Morning Star' .

It is said that she lifted Julius Caesar's soul to the heavens.

... GOODNIGHT ! …

And A VERY 'MERRIMENT' CHRISTMAS TO ALL !

For Other 2017 Christmas Catalogs, please click below

'Venus & Company : on Life!, Hearts & Laughter'

'The Menagerie'

'Christmas Song', a Spoken Improvisation

LAST DAY for FEDEX SHIPPING : Thursday December 21

We will be open briefly (12 Noon – 4) on Sunday, December 24

for emergencies,

and those who just prefer to shop on Christmas Eve

Above Illustrations :

Quotes : “Venus”, Illumination, Broeder Gheraerts Natural History, Utrecht, Netherlands, 15th century;

Wolfenbüttel, Herzog August Library, Cod. Guelf. 18.2 Aug. 4 °, fol. 124r.

Inventory Photography,  including The Golden Grail image : Millicent F. Creech

Quotes & Lyrics :  Creative Commons

"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" is a comedy song written by Monty Python member Eric Idle

 that was first featured in the film Monty Python's "Life of Brian" to promote the film

being released a single as a double A-side with "Brian" in the UK on 16 November 1979

(Lyrics, Creative Commons)

Please Click Here for 'Image Legend & Full License'