Spoon
- Place of origin:
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
Burges, William (A.R.A.), born 1827 - died 1881 (designer)
Barkentin & Krall (maker)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
Silver, room 67, case 5, shelf 2
- Download image
This spoon is one of a set of twelve which formed part of a dessert service and was a wedding gift for George Edward Sneyd, the close friend and secretary of John Patrick Crichton Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute (1847-1900), on his marriage to Elizabeth Stuart, Bute's cousin. It was designed by the Gothic Revival architect William Burges, who designed many unusual silver pieces.
Burges started his career designing churches, and was involved with major publications on medieval ecclesiastical metalwork. However, his subversive and playful brand of Gothic was more suited to domestic work. His greatest architectural achievements were the rooms he created in Cardiff Castle, his imaginative restoration of Castell Coch, and Tower House, the home he built for himself in London.
This was a complex commission. Burges' estimate book shows that various price options were tried out: there was a 'total without candlesticks' and the cruets were offered with either one or two enamels each. Early designs show that the centrepiece originally had no arms, and large freestanding candlesticks were intended. Most of these designs were retained by the Marquess of Bute, which implies that he took some interest in the design.
Eleven days after writing the service into his estimate book, Burges added another commission for '1 dozen silver spoons, including case' and 'two silver spoons, enamelled'. This second commission was from Burges himself, and constituted his own wedding present to Sneyd. So the spoons are inscribed 'GES from WB', whilst the inscriptions on the main parts of the service invoke the name of the Marquess of Bute in more majestic Latin. The commission was contracted out to Burges' preferred silversmith, Jes Barkentin of Barkentin and Krall.
Physical description
One of a set of twelve silver gilt spoons formng an additional part of the service (Circ.184-192,-1964) commissioned by the Marquis of Bute as a wedding present for his friend George Edward Sneyd. The form of the handle is reminiscent of a four part Gothic attached column with a boss at the top set with a stone and four stone set bosses binding the central section; oval bowl.
Place of Origin
London, England (made)
Date
1880-1881 (made)
Artist/maker
Burges, William (A.R.A.), born 1827 - died 1881 (designer)
Barkentin & Krall (maker)
Materials and Techniques
Silver
Marks and inscriptions
London hallmarks for 1880-81
Mark: JB for Jes Barkentin of Barkentin & Krall.
Inscribed on the underside of the bowl: GES from WB.
Dimensions
Length: 7.375 in
Object history note
George Edward Sneyd
One of set of twelve spoons from a dessert service. This dessert service was a wedding gift for George Edward Sneyd, the close friend and secretary of John Patrick Crichton Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute (1847-1900), on his marriage to Elizabeth Stuart, Bute's cousin. It was designed by the Gothic Revival architect William Burges, who designed many unusual silver pieces.
Burges started his career designing churches, and was involved with major publications on medieval ecclesiastical metalwork. However, his subversive and playful brand of Gothic was more suited to domestic work. His greatest architectural achievements were the rooms he created in Cardiff Castle, his imaginative restoration of Castell Coch, and Tower House, the home he built for himself in London.
This was a complex commission. Burges' estimate book shows that various price options were tried out: there was a 'total without candlesticks' and the cruets were offered with either one or two enamels each. Early designs show that the centrepiece originally had no arms, and large freestanding candlesticks were intended. Most of these designs were retained by the Marquess of Bute, which implies that he took some interest in the design.
11 days after writing the service into his estimate book, Burges added another commission for '1 dozen silver spoons, including case' and 'two silver spoons, enamelled'. This second commission was from Burges himself, and constituted his own wedding present to Sneyd. So the spoons are inscribed 'GES from WB', whilst the inscriptions on the main parts of the service invoke the name of the Marquess of Bute in more majestic Latin. The commission was contracted out to Burges' preferred silversmith, Jes Barkentin of Barkentin and Krall.
Materials
Silver; Gold; Semi-precious stone
Techniques
Gilding
Categories
Metalwork; Tableware & cutlery
Collection code
MET
