The Pleasure of Objects: The Ian & Carolina Irving Collection
The Pleasure of Objects: The Ian & Carolina Irving Collection
An Early George III Silver Naturalistic Epergne, Thomas Heming, London, 1764
Auction Closed
January 30, 06:14 PM GMT
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
oval form, the base formed a network of embossed scrolls, shells and flowers, on four scroll feet, supporting the central bowl with the same decoration, surrounded by four branches, the bowls modelled as overlapping leaves, engraved with a crest and arms, marked on base, bowls and branches
72 3/4 oz; 2262 g
height 9 3/4 in.; 25 cm
Private collection in Jacksonville, Florida
Charlton Hall, West Columbia, South Carolina, 16 June 2012, lot 94
Thomas Heming, son of Richard Heming of Ludlow, c. Salop., was apprenticed in 1738 to Edmund Boddington and turned over to Peter Archambo the same day. He entered his mark as largeworker in 1745, adding a crown over his initials presumably when he was appointed Principal Goldsmith to the King in 1760, which position he held until 1782. Arthur Grimwade notes “some of his earlier surviving pieces in the Royal Collection show a French delicacy of taste and refinement of execution which is unquestionably inherited from his master Archambo” (London Goldsmiths 1697-1837) pp.542-3). The present epergne departs form the standard trellis or lattice designs of the time into a more solid, naturalistic design which showcases the talent of the chaser.
A very similar epergne, Thomas Heming, London, 1765 was sold in S. J. Phillips: A Bond Street Legacy, Sotheby's, London, 18 October 2017, lot 246.