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M. FORD CREECH ANTIQUES & FINE ARTS
www.mfordcreech.com
THE SEASON of
LIGHT
&
REFLECTION(S)
Whilst the sun's light is gold,
The moon's is 'pure silver'.
It's light to delight
The depths of the night,
The sun's 'best reflection',
To deliver.
Silver is female in nature,
Kin to both 'moon' and the 'soul'
A somewhat holy alloy
Meaning 'angels' and 'joy'
Plus 'purity' and 'protection',
So told!
Silver dazzles one's senses.
Breaks away all defenses.
To the touch, like 'romancing'.
To the eyes, Flamenco! dancing,
Can be delicate - or bold,
Both hot and cold hold,
Said some maladies to prevent,
(And also pay rent)!
Be casual, or formal
In times HIGH, or just normal,
Be jet black or bright white -
Simultaneously! - midday, or midnight.
So I'm preachin' to the choir
To those who admire.
But for those not yet smitten,
Hope this silly rhyme written
Will explain our terribly 'irrational' addiction...
TO "FINE SILVER"!
OUR CHRISTMAS SILVER COLLECTION :
May We Begin Chronologically :
A Rare George I Britannia Standard Gadrooned & Crested Tazza, Sarah Holaday, London, 1722
The rather rarely found gadrooned rim and footrim without repairs;
fully marked, and of good gauge Britannia : 9.25" and 12.5 oz.
A George III Provincial Silver 'Quart' Mug, John Langlands I, Newcastle, 1770
Of quite heavy gauge with handle tongue, the handle engraved with initials 'I P'
6.75" High and 19.8 oz.
A George III Vase-Form Silver Argyll, Beaded Rims, Daniel Smith & Robert Sharp, London, 1783
The long distances between Scottish kitchens and dining tables
often allowed gravy (or sauces) to cool excessively.
This inspired the Third Duke of Argyll (c1755) to design a vessel having either a central heating core,
or outer 'jacket' for hot water, also allowing the liquids to come from the base
rather than the often congealed upper surfaces.
The vessel was thereby named after him - known both as 'argyll', and 'argyle'.
7.25" High / 15.7 oz.
A Rare George III Silver Two-Handled Cup, Peter & Jonathan Bateman, London, 1791
One handle tongue engraved W S / 5.5"High and 11.8oz.
Jonathan Bateman, the third son of Hester Bateman, is probably the most collectible of the
Bateman silver makers. Jonathan worked only six months, dying from cancer on April 19, 1791.
A George III Silver Bougie Box, Richard Cooke, London, 1800
Crested for Charles Grey, 1st Earl Grey and Viscount Howick, County of Northumberland
Earl Grey tea, "Earl Grey's Mixture", is assumed named after Charles Grey,
2nd Earl Grey, who served as British Prime Minister in the 1830s. 4" High and 4 oz.
A Very Good George III Silver 2-Part Wine Funnel,
Rebecca Emes & Edward Barnard, London, 1814
Of heavy gauge silver, with reeded rims, floriform piercing and shell tang
6" High and 5.7 oz.
A Fine Pair of George III Silver Strawberry Dishes, Philip Rundell, London, 1819
Of heavy gauge silver, each circular dish having lobed and fluted sides with everted rims
surrounding a plain field centering the marital arms of Brymer and Tugwell, and motto,"VIRTUTE "
9.75" Diameter / 38.1 oz.
Philip Rundell was one of the finest silversmiths in England,
his firm being Royal Goldsmiths from 1797 - 1843, and responsible for the Crown Jewels
used at the coronations of George IV , William IV, and Queen Victoria,
as well as for a wide range of banqueting plate and jewelry now in the Royal Collection.
A Scarce George IV Silver Kitchen Nutmeg Grater, Charles Rawlings, London, 1824
arms for Hunter quartering Thompson, with motto SPERO MELIORA (I hope for better things)
Of heavy gauge silver, at 2.6 oz., and 4.25" High
Georgian silver kitchen nutmeg graters of this form are quite rarely available.
ALSO, FOR YOUR DINING PLEASURE :
A Collection of English Britannia & Silver Marrow Spoons, 1722-1774
Marrow spoons, which are rarer than marrow scoops and often a bit earlier,
are nicely capable of doubling for the once-more popular roasted bone marrow,
as well as a dessert or table spoon. I also find their form more interesting.
George I Britannia Silver Marrow Spoon, Charles Jackson, London, 1722
Two George II Irish Silver Marrow Spoons, Ester Forbes, Dublin, 1730 (rattail),
and an Unknown Dublin, c1735 Crested Example
George II Silver Marrow Spoon, Paul Hanet, London, 1735-40
George III Irish Silver Marrow Spoon, William Sutton, Dubliln, 1750
George III Silver Shell & Scroll Back Marrow Spoon, William Collings, London, 1774
(each spoon offered separately)
AND A CHRISTMAS WISH :
A Good Pair George II Silver Candlesticks, John Cafe, London, 1755
(&)
A Good Pair Regency Silver Candlesticks, Roberts & Co., Sheffield, 1813, crested
Light the first candle for moments of joy
Light then the second for the new "Baby Boy"
The third for our futures approaching so fast
And the fourth one, "reflecting" on times that are past..
And may all burn quite slowly, but bright
Casting odd shadows and rainbows of light
That will echo in moments of time still beyond,
A smile of yesterday, when new lights have dawned.
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MERRY, MERRY
CHRISTMAS!
& A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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Legend :
"The Creation of the Sun and the Moon"
Master of Jean de Mandeville (French, active 1350 - 1370),
Tempera colors, gold, and ink on parchment, Ms. 1, v1 (84.MA.40.1), fol. 5.
(the moon has been
toned from gold to silver to attend our short story)
J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA, Getty's
"Open Content Program"
"Historiated Letter C", Centering an Ouroboros :
an ancient and alchemical symbol, the snake swallowing its own tail,
signifying 'Infinity', 'Renewal' and the 'Cyclical Nature of
Time'.
"De Proprietatibus Rerum", ms. 1029, f. 120v, c1350, Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, Paris.
"De Proprietatibus Rerum" (On the Order of Things) is an encyclopedia
written by Bartholomaeus Anglicus between 1240 and 1250 at the school of Magdeburg in Saxonia.
Intended for the use of students and general public, the work is often described as a bestiary;
however its focus encompasses theology and astrology as well as the natural sciences
(as understood in 1240). The encyclopedia was originally written in Latin,
and copied between the 13th and 14th centuries into number of other languages
Inventory
Photography : Millicent F. Creech
Also See Our Other 2020 Christmas Catalogs :
THE SEASON of LIGHT & REFLECTION(S) : GLASS!
THE SEASON of LIGHT & REFLECTION(S) : PORCELAIN
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