A design for a silver cup by Thomas Sharp (1805- 1882), circa 1835- 1850

A drawing of a silver cup, shown in profile and perspective. Perhaps full size 295 x 192.
Of calyx- crater form, the side of the body bearing an allegorical scene of Justice protecting the innocent from Violence, Fraud and Discord, below vine stems.
The foot formed as the last three figures introduced crouching around the base.

This is a preliminary design for a cup shown at the Great Exhibition of 1851, see D.2200-1885.
For other preliminary designs related to this project see D.2214-1885 and E.358-1886.
The drawing shows how the perspective elements have been constructed from a sketch view in profile. The vine suggests that it may have been intended for a wine cooler. The paper mount of this drawing and other drawings by Sharp in the collection may have originated in his workshop.

Bought in 1885 from the dealer R. Jackson for 1s as an anonymous design.
Thomas Sharp was a sculptor, chaser and wax modeller, who also designed silver. He attended the Royal Academy schools in 1831 and gained a silver medal three years later.That he may have been connected with Rundell, Bridge and Rundell is suggested by the tankard design E. 357- 1886, and the fact that two persons named Sharp, Cato and Josiah, were managers of Rundell’s Dean Street workshop until 1833 (J. Culme, Nineteenth Century Silver, 1977, p. 81).

D.2213-1885