Ewer
1705-1706 (hallmarked)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Until the 17th century ewers and basins were used by diners to wash their hands at the end of a meal. The introduction of forks made this less important and ewers and basins became grand display pieces for the sideboard. Ambassadors were expected to have a magnificent collection of silver, issued to them by the Royal Jewel House.
Design & Designing
The helmet-shaped ewer became popular in England around the end of the 17th century. The form is based on an earlier shape made in earthenware in Rouen, France. The cut-card ornament around the base is often found in Huguenot silver. It was cut out from a sheet of silver and applied to the body, requiring great technical skill. The handle is in the shape of a female caryatid and the lip has a cast mask of Diana.
Huguenot craftspeople fleeing Europe because of religious persecution and economic change brought new vitality and a high standard of design to English decorative arts.
People
This ewer and basin were produced in 1705 for Thomas Wentworth, the 3rd Earl of Strafford, who settled in Berlin after Queen Anne made him Ambassador Extraordinary to Prussia. Ambassadors were issued with a large amount of silver, which they were often allowed to keep on their return to Britain.
Until the 17th century ewers and basins were used by diners to wash their hands at the end of a meal. The introduction of forks made this less important and ewers and basins became grand display pieces for the sideboard. Ambassadors were expected to have a magnificent collection of silver, issued to them by the Royal Jewel House.
Design & Designing
The helmet-shaped ewer became popular in England around the end of the 17th century. The form is based on an earlier shape made in earthenware in Rouen, France. The cut-card ornament around the base is often found in Huguenot silver. It was cut out from a sheet of silver and applied to the body, requiring great technical skill. The handle is in the shape of a female caryatid and the lip has a cast mask of Diana.
Huguenot craftspeople fleeing Europe because of religious persecution and economic change brought new vitality and a high standard of design to English decorative arts.
People
This ewer and basin were produced in 1705 for Thomas Wentworth, the 3rd Earl of Strafford, who settled in Berlin after Queen Anne made him Ambassador Extraordinary to Prussia. Ambassadors were issued with a large amount of silver, which they were often allowed to keep on their return to Britain.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver gilt, engraved and cast, with applied ornament |
| Brief description | Helmet-shaped ewer - Rollos |
| Physical description | Ewer, from a set of ewer and Rosewater dish |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Bears the maker's mark of Philip Rollos (possibly born in France, about 1660, died after 1715) and the Arms of Queen Anne; hallmarked on the base with a lion's head |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
DISH AND HELMET-SHAPED EWER This dish and ewer formed part of the diplomatic silver issued in 1705 to Thomas Wentworth, Baron Raby (later 3rd Earl of Strafford) (1672-1739), as Ambassador Extraordinary to the King of Prussia. These two pieces represent only a small part of the impressive display silver issued to him on this occasion. As was the custom with ambassadorial plate, both pieces are engraved with the arms of the sovereign (here Queen Anne).(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Made and engraved in London by Philip Rollos (born about 1660, died after 1715) and supplied by John Charleton, Master of the Jewel Office |
| Summary | Object Type Until the 17th century ewers and basins were used by diners to wash their hands at the end of a meal. The introduction of forks made this less important and ewers and basins became grand display pieces for the sideboard. Ambassadors were expected to have a magnificent collection of silver, issued to them by the Royal Jewel House. Design & Designing The helmet-shaped ewer became popular in England around the end of the 17th century. The form is based on an earlier shape made in earthenware in Rouen, France. The cut-card ornament around the base is often found in Huguenot silver. It was cut out from a sheet of silver and applied to the body, requiring great technical skill. The handle is in the shape of a female caryatid and the lip has a cast mask of Diana. Huguenot craftspeople fleeing Europe because of religious persecution and economic change brought new vitality and a high standard of design to English decorative arts. People This ewer and basin were produced in 1705 for Thomas Wentworth, the 3rd Earl of Strafford, who settled in Berlin after Queen Anne made him Ambassador Extraordinary to Prussia. Ambassadors were issued with a large amount of silver, which they were often allowed to keep on their return to Britain. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.23A-1963 |
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| Record created | April 28, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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