Live Auction 7800Centuries of Style: Silver, European Ceramics, Portrait Miniatures and Gold Boxes
A VICTORIAN SILVER AND SILVER-GILT CUP AND COVER
Lot 366

A VICTORIAN SILVER AND SILVER-GILT CUP AND COVER

MARK OF ROBERT GARRARD, LONDON, 1875

Closed17 November 2009

Price Realised

GBP 6,875

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A VICTORIAN SILVER AND SILVER-GILT CUP AND COVER
MARK OF ROBERT GARRARD, LONDON, 1875
Modelled as a late 16th century ostrich egg cup and cover, the domed foot engraved with an inscription, with a figural stem, the silver ovoid body with silver-gilt figural straps, the detachable cover with a finial cast as cupid, marked on foot, stem, straps, rim, cover, finial and on silver body
19½ in. (49.5 cm.) high
60 oz. (1,860 gr.)
The inscription reads 'SOUVENIR FROM HOLLINGSHEAD AND MAYER, FRENCH SEASON LONDON 1882'

Specialist note

John Hollinghead (1827-1904) was both a journalist and theatre manager. He opened the Gaiety Theatre on the Strand in 1868. In 1879 he arranged with Monsieur M. L. Mayer of La Comédie Français to present a season of French plays starring Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) one of the greatest actresses of her time. In London in April 1882 she married a Greek diplomat Aristidis Damala (1857-1889). The date on the inscription and the cupid finial could point to the cup being a gift to Miss Bernhardt from Hollinghead and Mayer.