-
Calverley Toilet Service
Fowle, William, born 1658 - died 1684 - Enlarge image
Calverley Toilet Service
- Object:
Box
- Place of origin:
London, England (made)
- Date:
1683-1684 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Fowle, William, born 1658 - died 1684 (maker)
- Materials and Techniques:
Silver, cast and chased
- Credit Line:
Bequeathed by Sir Walter Calverley Trevelyan, Bt
- Museum number:
240D-1879
- Gallery location:
British Galleries, room 54a, case 2
Object Type
The term 'toilet service' refers to the mirror, boxes and dishes that would be found on a lady's dressing table in the 17th and 18th centuries. Large boxes such as this one may have been used for combs or for gloves. This box is embossed with flowers and has a central cast plaque showing the ancient Greek and Roman myth of Venus, the goddes of love, and Adonis.
People
A silver toilet service was often a gift to a bride from a wealthy groom. This box is part of a service (Museum nos. 240&A to M-1879) that was bought for Julia Blackett, the eldest daughter of Sir William Blackett, by her intended husband Sir Walter Calverley. This is recorded in his diary: 'On Tuesday, the 17th of January, 1706-7 I was married to Miss Julia Blackett...I and my mother were at the cost of a fine set of dressing plate for my wife, came to 116l. odd money...'.
Recent research has identified the silversmith, whose mark 'WF' is found on this service, as William Fowle (1658-1684). He was apprenticed to the well-known silversmith, Arthur Manwaring, and went into business independently in 1681. He specialised in making toilet services.
Social Class
Matching sets of toilet silver originated in 17th-century France in conjunction with the custom of the levée. This was a practice popular among the upper classes, in which friends and family would be invited to witness the dressing and adornment of noble ladies.
