A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver presentation cradle; an addition to our presentation silverware collection

Description

This impressive antique sterling silver presentation dish has a rounded cradle* form supported on two branch gimbal with a knop on to a spreading rectangular foot.

The cradle body is embellished with fruiting vine decoration around a shaped vacant cartouche to either side.

The overturned fluted and scroll decorated ends of the cradle have a scallop shaped rim.

The 'hood' of the cradle is surmounted with a dove (the symbol of peace and gentleness).

The cradle freely swings in the thread decorated two branch gimbal with scrolling leaf decorated terminals.

The impressive oval knop is embellished with chased scrolling decoration incorporating a shell motif and a small vacant shaped cartouche to either side.

The rectangular spreading foot is ornamented with four floral festoons and the shaped scrolling border is accented with chased shell motifs.

This impressive antique sterling silver table ornament displays the engraved inscription 'G Angel Maker, Compton St Clarkenwell, London'.

* This unusual item has been researched and a similar piece presented to the Mayoress of Liverpool was recorded in the Illustrated London News 1849 (see images)

According to the author JA Picton in 'Memorials of Liverpool' 1873 "Women only enter the narrative if they have the rare and simlutaneous good fortune to be married to the Mayor and produce offspring during his year of office; then they are presentated with a silver cradle".

Condition

This Victorian cradle style dish is a very good gauge of silver, fine quality and in excellent condition.

The chased decoration is very sharp.

Full hallmarks struck to the surface of the cradle and underside of the foot are all very clear.

Reflections in photography may detract from the true representation of this example of Victorian silverware.

Dimensions

Height 33.1cm/13"

Depth of cradle 9cm/3.5"

Spread across gimbal arms 29.5cm/11.6"

Depth of base 14cm/5.5"

Weight

39 troy ounces/1213g

View our full range of presentation silverware available at AC Silver

Video

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