Description and Details
This ornate silver-gilt bowl was made by silversmith Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd in London, 1923.
Upon first glance, the bowl's lustrous and indulging gold tone is exceptionally apparent with no loss or wear to any areas of the gilding. The interior is equally matching with a fully gilt and glossy "mirror-like" finish to the surface, both protecting the silverware from oxidation and for aesthetic merit.
Moreover, this bowl features an array of intricate Rococo designs such as the cast-silver handles of Dionysiac/Bacchanalia figures, inspired by the important "Jerningham" Wine Cooler made by Charles Kandler.
The Jerningham Wine Cooler/Cistern was made by one of the greatest Baroccan silversmiths - Charles Frederick Kandler which was commissioned in 1734-5 in London by Henry Jernegan (Jerningham).
Above: The Jerningham Wine Cooler Electrotype
The wine cooler is referred to as one of the most important silver pieces made, with the final product only being completed after four years of work by silversmiths, chasers and engravers. The Jerningham wine cooler is currently the largest extant piece of antique solid silver in the world, weighing 8000 oz or 226kg.
The original Jerningham Wine Cooler is now located in the St Petersburg Hermitage Museum, however, an electrotype replica was made by Elkington in 1884 and can be viewed at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Further literature on the wine cooler can be found via a quick internet search - "Jerningham Wine Cooler V&A".
This bowl made by Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd takes much inspiration from the original, with the presenting the exact same figures of Dionysus/Bacchus figures - the God of grape-harvest and winemaking.
The applied band of ribbons, foliate motifs and trumpets around the waist of the bowl symbolises further of Bacchanalia traditions - Roman festivals of Bacchus based on the symbolism of wine, freedom, intoxication and ecstasy.
The distinguished craftsmanship on this bowl is evident not only in the figures but the intricately engraved and chased foliate borders on the edges of the bowl and around the base of the foot.
Hallmarks are fully present with no wear, and a secondary maker's stamp is present beneath the bowl's foot.
Overall, a historically and aesthetically marvellous piece 20th-century silverware, ideal for usage with fruits, sweets or any consumables of which one may so desire to place within.
A Touch of Humour
Fact: The original wine cooler was commissioned by Henry Jernegan (Jerningham) for his client Littleton Poyntz Meynell, however, upon completion, when Henry Jernegan (Jerningham) asked for Meynell to pay the bill, he refused and the cooler had to be offered as a government-backed lottery prize due to its high value and no other buyers.
Hopefully, with this inspired bowl, though still valuable, we all won't experience such troubles and one lucky buyer will be able to own a gratifying silver-gilt piece of silverware, safely knowing in the back of his/her head that he/she owns their very own piece, unlike the unfortunate Meynell!
Size
- Size (mm) Width: 220mm Height:120mm
- Size (inches) Width: 8.66 Height: 4.72
- Weight: 579 grams (20.4 oz)
Condition
Excellent Condition - The bowl is in excellent condition with no damage, issues or wear.
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Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jerningham_Wine_Cooler_(black_background).jpg