30th Triennial Conclave at Saratoga Springs, NY. An American silver and enamel "Knights Templar" presentation punch bowl and ladle, Gorham Mfg. Co, Providence, RI, 1907

borders of laurel and oves, chased with acanthus, etched on one side "First Prize 30th Triennial Conclave - Won by St. Bernard Commandery #35 K.T. - Saratoga Springs, N.Y. July 10th, 1907 Score 96.4," the other side with names of the participants, flanked by enameled badges and garlands of fruit and flowers, gilt interior, the handles topped by knight's helmets with plumes, matched on the ladle above enameled shield, japanned wood base

lacquered, causing some discoloration esp. over enamel and should be removed, otherwise good, crisp and nice scale, strongly modeled helmets and plumes
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The 30th Triennial Conclave was the first in New York State in fifty years.  The state governor marched in the opening parade, "nor were the Fraters and citizens of Saratoga Springs slack in providing entertainment for the visiting hosts, excursions and drives setting forth the beauties of their "village' and its surroundings, often with one of the numerous place of pleasure and amsuement as the objective, banquets, etc., etc.  In short, everything in the power of a hospitality which knows no stint."  St. Bernard, which had come in second in San Francisco in 1907, now took first prize in the competitive drill.

This punch bowl that was the trophy was a special order through Gorham's New York store.  It required considerable effort to create: 24 1/2 hours to spin the body, 169 hours to make the bowl, then 94 hours to chase the decoration on the body.  The chaser was English-born Joseph Steed Washington (previously named Aspin), who also demonstrated his skill on numerous pieces of Gorham's Martelé line; this was one of his last works for Gorham, as he left Gorham in October 1907 in the wake of the financial panic of that year.

The handles required 15 1/2 hours of casting finished by 23 hours of chasing, and probably another 25 hours of chasing on the ladle.  The total factory cost for the punch bowl was $604.08; for comparison, the average American salary in 1910 was $750.

We would like to thank Sam Hough for his research on this lot.