 |
Item: Basket Description: Oxford scenes Hallmark: London 1847 by Edward Barnard & Sons Dimensions: 62mm (h) x 156mm (w) x 124mm (d); 149g weight Comments: A superb quality silver sweet basket with masterfully engraved scenes of Oxford. London-made items belonging to the "castle-top" genre of silverware are particularly rare. The articles themselves are generally of a far superior quality to their Birmingham made counter-parts (i.e. not thin stampings) and this basket is testament to that rule. It stands on a shaped pedestal foot with an openwork handle and attractive architectural style engravings around the border. There are three engraved vignettes with Oxford scenes. The main central scene shows a classic view of High Street looking west with Queen's College on the right and University College on the left. The spires of the University Church of St Mary The Virgin and All Saints Church are in the distance. The road is muddy and a stage coach is disappearing around the bend. In the foreground, under-graduates or Oxford dons with their mortar board hats are crossing the road. The scene with two rowers in the foreground shows Iffley Mill on the River Thames (Isis). This picturesque spot was much admired by 18th & 19th century artists for it's beauty and tranquillity, but was burnt down in 1908, by a spectacular fire. Iffley Lock is the traditional starting point for Oxford University boat races. The third scene also shows a riverside building and bridge and is probably another view of Iffley Mill.
|
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |