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

A drawing of a silver cup and cover, shown in profile and perspective. Less than full size.
Of straight sided body with a waisted stem with a knop. On the domed cover a female figure, a child and a goat. On the body the same allegorical scene as D.2213-1885.

A cup to this design was shown at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and described as "Designed, modelled and embossed by the exhibitor, Mr Sharp, of London; he terms it the 'Justice Cup". It exhibits round the body in bas relief, Justice protecting the innocent, and driving from the earth Violence, Fraud, and Discord". The Art Journal illustrates the cup showing the scene which is present on D.2214-1885. (The Art Journal, Illustrated Catalogue of the Industry of all nations, p. 60).
For other designs related to this cup see D.2213, 2214-1885 and E.358-1886.
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.2200-1885