29TH TRIENNIAL CONCLAVE AT SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 1904: AN AMERICAN SILVER AND COPPER "INDIAN" PUNCH BOWL, STAND AND LADLE, ATTRIBUTED TO JOSEPH HEINRICH, NEW YORK, RETAILED BY HAMMERSMITH & FIELD, SAN FRANCISCO, dated 1904

the circular stand in hammered copper etched with geometric motifs, applied with silver rim and "tails", silver-bound horn handles with arrowhead terminals, the copper bowl with row of arrowheads on the foot, the rim applied with central silver and copper shields over trophies of weapons including axes and spears, flanked by bear pelts and patinated Indian-head handles with braids and feathers, gilt interior, applied with enameled badges and "29th Tirennial Conclave" - "San Francisco 1904.", the stag-horn ladle with etched designs and silver bands. Together with two matching silver-bound copper punch cups; 5 pieces.

Sunset Magazine, vol. 13 (May-October 1904)

two feathers missing and others possibly replaced from shield on presentation side, two feathers resoldered on other side, central tassels reattached; missing one applied badge from under handle, not noticible; wear to gildling in interior where ladle scraped, copper on ladle and cups slightly brighter, otherwise good, untouched patinated copper, bold and fun design
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The 1904 San Francisco conclave was held from September 6th to 9th and was honored by the attendance of the Supreme Grand Master of the United Kingdom, the Earl of Euston.  "The decorations, the parades, the welcome and receptions and entertainment were resplendent with California hospitality."  When, two years later, the host city was stricken by the earthquake, American Templars sent over $48,000 to their San Francisco brethren, including $4,631 from Illinois.

"The competitive drill held in Golden Gate Park attracted over 25,000 people.  Generous credit was given for the high degree of efficiency shown by the competing Commanderies.  No prizes were awarded but beautiful trophies were presented to each Drill Corps" (Francis J. Scully, M.D., History of the Grand Encampment Knights Templar of the United States of America).  The piece was described in Sunset Magazine: "a punch bowl of more than ordinary beauty and artistic merit.  It is of hand-beaten copper, gold lined, ornamented with Indian arrow-heads, silver shields, spears, war-hammers, targets, scalps, and other Indian trappings bound in place with silver thongs.  The handles of the bowl and the ladle are of deer horns. It was designed and exectued in San Francisco by Hammersmith and Field and is, as an easterner said, thoroughly westernesque."  Despite this assertion in the press, the local jeweler had in fact turned to a New York maker for this "western" piece.

Joseph Henrich was established as a metal molder and finisher in New York by the 1880s.  After 1902 he was listed both at 948 Broadway, opposite the Flatiron building and probably a showroom, and at 227 West 29th Street, most likely a workshop and perhaps a wholesale showroom.  His innovative copper and silver pieces were retailed by many important firms, including Tiffany and Black Starr & Frost.  An "Indian" punch bowl and stand, with many of the same motifs as the offered lot, is in the Metropolitan Museum, with a retailer's mark of Shreve, Crump & Low, Boston (Charles L. Venable, Silver in America, fig. 6.68, p. 198).  The business ended in the mid 1920s.

Hammersmith & Field were San Francisco retail jewelers, founded in 1886.  After the earthquake of 1906 the name was changed to Hammersmith & Co.  Souvenir spoons and watches bearing their name are fairly common, but they did supply larger works such as this punch bowl and a trophy that was raced for by the San Francisco Yacht Club in 1895.  However, nothing in their labeled wares indicates they could have "designed and executed" a piece of this complexity.