Sterling Silver Argyle - Antique George III

Description

This exceptional antique George III sterling silver argyle* has a plain cylindrical form.

The plain body of this silver argyle is embellished with a contemporary bright cut engraved crest of a dexter hand and arm fessways armed and holding a broken dagger in pale, to one side.

The upper and lower rims of the vessel are encircled with an applied reed decorated border.

This impressive example of Georgian silverware is fitted with a domed push fit cover surmounted with a silver ball style finial.

The cover is further ornamented with bands of tooled decoration in addition to the aforementioned crest to the body.

The cover allows access to the conical shaped chamber to the interior, featuring a secondary push fit domed hallmarked cover, encompassed with further tooled decoration.

The argyle is fitted with the original carved pear wood C shaped handle with scrolling thumbpiece and fitted to plain sterling silver sockets.

This antique silver argyle has an impressive, plain swan necked spout.

This antique argyle has a fine colour and patination**.

Such original period examples in this exceptional condition are becoming increasingly difficult to locate and are rare to the market.

* A silver argyle, otherwise known as a silver argyll, is a gravy warmer; an internal chamber filled with hot water keeps the gravy warm from kitchen to table. The original argyll/argyle was crafted in honour of the fifth Duke of Argyll, John Campbell (1723-1806) and his wife Elizabeth Gunning, Baroness Hamilton of Hameldon.

** Patination or Patina is a subtle colouration or tarnish which forms on the surface of some metals, produced by oxidation or other chemical processes. A good patina proffers an aesthetically pleasing look.

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