Irish Rococo Silver Milk
Circa:1760-1780
Origin:Ireland
Condition:Excellent
Dimensions:13,4cm high by 15cm handle to spout
Rare Irish Rococo Silver Milk
Rare Irish Rococo Silver Milk Jug by Stephen Walsh of Cork circa 1760-1780
This magnificent piece of Irish silver is typical of rococo work, with its ornate decoration featuring seashells, scroll work and cast ornamentation. It has the very unusual addition of a handle in the form of an Ostrich which would in all likelihood have been the crest of the family for whom it was made. This led to researching the names of those who had such armorial crests and two families, Wray and Newnan, exist.
Most pieces of Irish provincial silver carry the initials of the maker but here we have both marks known and used by this silversmith. The marks are SW over STERLING and SW over WALSH and are stamped onto the base. They were recorded as being used by Stephen Walsh in Cork between 1760 and 1780.
The publication of three landmark books on the subject of silver made in Ireland has opened the way to appreciating not only the rarity but also the almost unique look and feel of this silver. Anything hallmarked in Dublin has always carried the “Harp crowned” mark making it instantly recognisable as Irish in origin.
Smaller towns such as Cork and Limerick did not have a centrally controlled hallmarking authority, and have always attracted keen interest. Here the master silversmiths would mark their wares with their names or initials and a variety of marks illustrating the quality of the silver. Examples include Sterling, Starling and Stirling all of which correspond to the required level of purity in order to be hallmarked in Dublin.
At present this is the second recorded example of a rococo milk jug the other appearing on the front cover of "CORK SILVER AND GOLD - four centuries of craftsmanship" by John. R. Bowen and Conor O’Brien published in 2005
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Origin:Ireland
Condition:Excellent
Dimensions:13,4cm high by 15cm handle to spout
Rare Irish Rococo Silver Milk
Rare Irish Rococo Silver Milk Jug by Stephen Walsh of Cork circa 1760-1780
This magnificent piece of Irish silver is typical of rococo work, with its ornate decoration featuring seashells, scroll work and cast ornamentation. It has the very unusual addition of a handle in the form of an Ostrich which would in all likelihood have been the crest of the family for whom it was made. This led to researching the names of those who had such armorial crests and two families, Wray and Newnan, exist.
Most pieces of Irish provincial silver carry the initials of the maker but here we have both marks known and used by this silversmith. The marks are SW over STERLING and SW over WALSH and are stamped onto the base. They were recorded as being used by Stephen Walsh in Cork between 1760 and 1780.
The publication of three landmark books on the subject of silver made in Ireland has opened the way to appreciating not only the rarity but also the almost unique look and feel of this silver. Anything hallmarked in Dublin has always carried the “Harp crowned” mark making it instantly recognisable as Irish in origin.
Smaller towns such as Cork and Limerick did not have a centrally controlled hallmarking authority, and have always attracted keen interest. Here the master silversmiths would mark their wares with their names or initials and a variety of marks illustrating the quality of the silver. Examples include Sterling, Starling and Stirling all of which correspond to the required level of purity in order to be hallmarked in Dublin.
At present this is the second recorded example of a rococo milk jug the other appearing on the front cover of "CORK SILVER AND GOLD - four centuries of craftsmanship" by John. R. Bowen and Conor O’Brien published in 2005
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Other Currency Estimates:
Please note that all our sales are conducted in South African Rands.
For our international clients we apply a fixed exchange rate based on the date of sale. Therefore the estimated prices shown in the other currencies are based on today's exchange rates shown below:
US Dollar: $1 = R7.24 | UK Pound: £1 = R11.13 | Euro: €1 = R9.28
Please note that all our sales are conducted in South African Rands.
For our international clients we apply a fixed exchange rate based on the date of sale. Therefore the estimated prices shown in the other currencies are based on today's exchange rates shown below:
US Dollar: $1 = R7.24 | UK Pound: £1 = R11.13 | Euro: €1 = R9.28