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Description:
This is a unique and distinctive clear crystal American water pitcher prettily decorated with heavy gauge sterling silver flowers in the Art Nouveau style. Its silhouette is extremely unusual and its pleasingly curvy shape has been nicely accentuated and expertly highlighted by the application of the fine quality silver overlay decoration. The top has a scalloped edge with a small pouring lip and has been outlined by This is a magnificent pair of English Victorian gilded sterling silver figural compotes in the Rococco style topped by lovely cut crystal dishes and expertly made by the renowned London silversmith, Stephen Smith in 1867. The bases are encircled by beautifully detailed leaves set against a gently stippled background and seated upon each one there is a charmingly chubby cherubic figure holding a decorative curving pole which supports a gilded and elaborately designed holder for the pretty removable glass dishes. The pleasingly plump putti have each been beautifully made with exquisite attention to detail and they both have delightfully mischievous facial features and artfully tousled hair surrounded by crowns of laurel leaves. One elbow of each rests upon a large overturned urn from which a torrent of realistically-depicted water is gushing out to their obvious bemusement and delight. The urns have each been prettily decorated with exceptionally fine quality floral forms and leaves which have all been made to remarkably high standards with extraordinarily detailed decorative features. The glass dishes each fit into supporting bases which have also been exquisitely decorated with exceptional skill and precision. Their borders are entirely encircled by a pierced frieze of intricately- detailed garlanded animals set amidst leafy foliage and grape clusters interspersed with neo-Classical urns and mythological faces. The quality of this craftsmanship cannot be overstated, it is truly exceptional. The elegant glass dishes which fit snugly into these extraordinary bases are each made of frosted glass, deeply cut into an elaborate circular star pattern at their clear crystal centers and each surrounded by a single circle of cut leaf forms topped with an upper border of clear crystal decorated with a row of incised vertical lines. These seemingly diverse elements have all combined to create a pair of truly magnificent pieces which are not only beautiful, but are also functional. Both compotes are in perfect, pristine condition with a lovely warm glow on the gilding and with clear, crisp definition on all the decoration. The glass is clean and deeply cut and has no chips or damage of any kind. A full set of English hallmarks (one complete with the head of Queen Victoria), together with the initials, S.S., has been stamped in two places behind the seated figures and show that the pieces were made in London in 1867. The base of each piece has been stamped around the border with the words S. Smith, King St., Covent Garden. These lovely and special pieces would make a distinctive design statement and add a touch of grace and elegance to any setting. They each stand approx. 9 " tall and measure approx. 5 " in diameter at the bases and approx. 9" in diameter at the tops. They weigh approx. 60 troy ounces.
| Status: For Sale |
Reference#: 725096 |
| Condition:
See Description |
Year:
See Description
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