Epergne thumbnail 1
Epergne thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Silver, Room 67, The Whiteley Galleries

Epergne

1869-1870 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

On retirement S.B.Partridge was created a Companion of the Indian-Empire, previously having been an Honorary Surgeon to the Queen. He also received a medal & clasp for Burmah & a medal and clasp for the siege and recapture of Lucknow. He was also a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, and academic professor at educational establishments in India. He was associated with the Bengal Army Medical Service from 1852 until 1893. He died in 1898.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver, cast and matted
Brief description
Silver and moulded glass, London hallmarks for 1869-70, mark of J.E, W & J. Barnard.
Physical description
The silver centrepiece is in the naturalistic style and consists of two crossed and interlacing palm trees which form the support for the glass bowl. The trees spring from a matted and rusticated ground and clustered round them a two sepoys, one sitting, one standing, and an Indian elephant. The last is screwed into the base. Lodged against a tree trunk is a circular shield engraved with a horse's head and the motto: FIER MAIS DOCILE. The figures, trees (with fronds)and two bunches of dates) are matted with areas of bright silver. The rusticated ground is at the top of a domed and hexagonal base which has a border of water lily leaves with flowers and buds, chased and matted, surrounding a cartouche bearing a dedicated inscription.

The scalloped glass bowl is matted with a frond motif.
Dimensions
  • Height: 54.6cm
  • Length: 26.7cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
  • J E W & J Barnard for Edward Barnard & Sons
  • PRESENTED IN 1869/ To Samuel Bowen Partridge Esq. ER.C.S.E./ SURGEON H.M. BENGAL ARMY./ BY A LARGE BODY OF HIS BROTHER OFFICERS,/ in recognition of his public spirit / and watchful care of their interests, / WHILE ACTING AS / Secretary to the Bengal Medical Retiring Fund. Lodged against tree is a shield engraved with a horses head and motto:FIER MAIS DOCILE (Engraved within a cartouche)
  • London hallmarks for 1869-70
Credit line
Given by Douglas G. B. Partridge
Object history
Acquisition RF: 73 / 1592
Gift - Douglas G B Pattridge Esq.(grandson of the original recipient).
10 Gardiner Street
Market Harborough
On retirement S.B.Partridge was created a Companion of the Indian-Empire, previously having been an Honorary Surgeon to the Queen. He also received a medal & clasp for Burmah & a medal and clasp for the siege and recapture of Lucknow. He was also a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, and academic professor at educational establishments in India. He was associated with the Bengal Army Medical Service from 1852 until 1893. He died in 1898.
Subjects depicted
Summary
On retirement S.B.Partridge was created a Companion of the Indian-Empire, previously having been an Honorary Surgeon to the Queen. He also received a medal & clasp for Burmah & a medal and clasp for the siege and recapture of Lucknow. He was also a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, and academic professor at educational establishments in India. He was associated with the Bengal Army Medical Service from 1852 until 1893. He died in 1898.
Associated object
M.45A-1973 (Ensemble)
Collection
Accession number
M.45-1973

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Record createdMarch 3, 2004
Record URL
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