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Calverley Toilet Service
Fowle, William, born 1658 - died 1684 - Enlarge image
Calverley Toilet Service
- Object:
Box and lid
- Place of origin:
London, England (made)
- Date:
1683-1684 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Fowle, William, born 1658 - died 1684 (maker)
- Materials and Techniques:
Silver
- Credit Line:
Bequeathed by Sir Walter Calverley Trevelyan, Bt
- Museum number:
240E&N-1879
- Gallery location:
British Galleries, room 54a, case 2
Object Type
This small round box may have held hair or face powder, rouge, fragrant orris root for the teeth, patches, powder puffs, ribbons or fake teeth. One box has a cast plaquette showing the classical mythological figures of Flora, goddess of flowers, and Ceres, goddess of agriculture, whilst the other shows Silenus, the companion of Bacchus, Greek god of wine.
People
A silver toilet service was often a gift to a bride from a wealthy groom. This bowl 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.
