Flagon
ca. 1851 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This object is described as a wine flagon in contemporary literature, which suggests a function, but it was made specifically to impress visitors to exhibitions with its large size and superb workmanship.
Historical Associations
The flagon is an example of a non-functional exhibition piece made for the Great Exhibition of 1851. These special items were produced by manufacturers or commissioned by retailers for international exhibitions in the 19th century to generate publicity and consumer interest through the display of design flair and working skills. The flagon was shown as a companion to a more elaborately chased example which had gained a prize medal for the retailers Lambert and Rawlings. It was purchased for the V&A Museum for œ 128 8s. A report of 1852 commented that the flagon was ' remarkable for the elegance and simplicity of the general form, and the delicacy and subordination of the ornamental portions'.
Retailer & Manufacturer
The London firm of Lambert and Rawlings, who commissioned this flagon, were one of the most important retailers to specialise in selling reproduction silver in historic styles as well as genuine antiques. The Fox family of silversmiths enjoyed a long working relationship with Lambert and Rawlings and generally supplied silver in period styles such as this Gothic revival flagon. The large size of the piece ensured that it would be expensive to make in terms of time and material. Reportedly it took one man 12 weeks to make this flagon.
This object is described as a wine flagon in contemporary literature, which suggests a function, but it was made specifically to impress visitors to exhibitions with its large size and superb workmanship.
Historical Associations
The flagon is an example of a non-functional exhibition piece made for the Great Exhibition of 1851. These special items were produced by manufacturers or commissioned by retailers for international exhibitions in the 19th century to generate publicity and consumer interest through the display of design flair and working skills. The flagon was shown as a companion to a more elaborately chased example which had gained a prize medal for the retailers Lambert and Rawlings. It was purchased for the V&A Museum for œ 128 8s. A report of 1852 commented that the flagon was ' remarkable for the elegance and simplicity of the general form, and the delicacy and subordination of the ornamental portions'.
Retailer & Manufacturer
The London firm of Lambert and Rawlings, who commissioned this flagon, were one of the most important retailers to specialise in selling reproduction silver in historic styles as well as genuine antiques. The Fox family of silversmiths enjoyed a long working relationship with Lambert and Rawlings and generally supplied silver in period styles such as this Gothic revival flagon. The large size of the piece ensured that it would be expensive to make in terms of time and material. Reportedly it took one man 12 weeks to make this flagon.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, parcel-gilt |
| Brief description | Flagon, manufactured by Charles Thomas and George Fox, retailers, Lambert & Rawlings, for the 1851 Great Exhibition; silver & parcel gilt, London, England, ca.1851. |
| Physical description | Flagon with bulbous body and slender neck. Body has eight silver lobes and foliate gilded decoration. Stopper has gilded knop and is attached to the flagon by a chain. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | London date hallmarks and marks of Charles Thomas and George Fox. |
| Gallery label |
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| Object history | Purchased from the Great Exhibition, 1851. |
| Association | |
| Summary | Object Type This object is described as a wine flagon in contemporary literature, which suggests a function, but it was made specifically to impress visitors to exhibitions with its large size and superb workmanship. Historical Associations The flagon is an example of a non-functional exhibition piece made for the Great Exhibition of 1851. These special items were produced by manufacturers or commissioned by retailers for international exhibitions in the 19th century to generate publicity and consumer interest through the display of design flair and working skills. The flagon was shown as a companion to a more elaborately chased example which had gained a prize medal for the retailers Lambert and Rawlings. It was purchased for the V&A Museum for œ 128 8s. A report of 1852 commented that the flagon was ' remarkable for the elegance and simplicity of the general form, and the delicacy and subordination of the ornamental portions'. Retailer & Manufacturer The London firm of Lambert and Rawlings, who commissioned this flagon, were one of the most important retailers to specialise in selling reproduction silver in historic styles as well as genuine antiques. The Fox family of silversmiths enjoyed a long working relationship with Lambert and Rawlings and generally supplied silver in period styles such as this Gothic revival flagon. The large size of the piece ensured that it would be expensive to make in terms of time and material. Reportedly it took one man 12 weeks to make this flagon. |
| Bibliographic reference | Baker, Malcolm, and Brenda Richardson (eds.), A Grand Design: The Art of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London: V&A Publications, 1999.
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 2743-1851 |
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| Record created | January 4, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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