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THE COLLECTORS :
John Culme
(both the collector and author)
has devoted his career to the study of silver
and the history of the silver and jewelry trades, having begun at Sotheby's in 1964.
He has written extensively on the subject, including
"The Directory of Gold & Silversmiths,
Jewellers & Allied Traders, 1838-1914", published by the Antique Collectors' Club in 1987.
. In addition, he curated the loan exhibition, English Silver Treasures From The Kremlin,
held at Sotheby's, London, in January 1991.
For the Silver Department at Sotheby's on both sides of the Atlantic,
John has researched and catalogued many important items,
perhaps the most interesting being Lord Raby's great silver wine cistern
(Philip Rollos, London, 1705/06). (book jacket overleaf.)
John Culme's book,
"British Silver Boxes 1640-1840 : The Lion Collection"
is a result of 20 years of collecting. His keen eye, and depth of research
has resulted in a collection of quality, rarity, and variety.
He has included 280 boxes, for tobacco and snuff, plus a few vinaigrettes, nutmeg graters and spices.
The intention is to provide an "in-depth overview of these boxes, arranged chronologically,
enabling the reader to see how shape, style and decoration changed", from the 17th through the 19th century.
Included also is information about not only the makers,
but about some of the colorful individuals for whom these boxes were crafted.
"The Albert Collection", with text by long-time British silver, glass and furniture dealer and author,
Robin Butler, and preface by Philippa Glanvile, Chief Curator of Metalwork
at the Victoria and Albert Museum (1989-99), displays a
"unique collection of (700+ pieces) beautiful and intriguing of British and European silver",
put together over 40 years
by a
'discerning English collector'."
Equally as intriguing is the collector himself, referred to often as simply
"the Londoner".
His identify is never revealed - but there are a number of conjectures.
This collection spans five centuries with a great variety of types and nationalities.
The focus was simply :
"excellent condition, historical interest, and inherent quality, most being of museum standard".
To these qualities was sometimes added "the extra joy of the quirky or amusing".
An early acquisition was a 1691 armorial tobacco box, both its time period and use affecting his focus.
Now, "a strength of this collection is the considerable number of boxes
made or tobacco and its scented derivative snuff... all being "small, tactile and personal".
It is with the greatest pleasure that we offer these three fine boxes.
Below are additional boxes, sold by this gallery, also represented in
"British Silver Boxes 1640-1840 : The Lion Collection", or "The Albert Collection" :
"British Silver Boxes 1640-1840 : The Lion Collection":
"The Albert Collection" :
George II Silver Toilet Box & Cover, Charles Kandler, 1727 (Ref.19, p.74)
Arms of Edward Howard, 9th Duke of Norfolk, 1686-1777, and his wife Mary Howard, nee Blount
Please click on the images above for more images and details.
We thank you for your continued patronage!
Millicent Creech
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