Argyle
1808-1809 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This silver argyle is designed to keep gravy or sauces hot. Argyles were ingenious vessels in which the liquid was heated in one of two ways. Some had an external jacket, filled with hot water, that enclosed an inner gravy reservoir. Others had a hot iron placed in an internal socket, like a tea-urn. Argyles were most popular between 1765 and 1800 and were made in silver, Sheffield plate, porcelain and earthenware. They were one of a number of specialised articles which evolved because of an increasing preoccupation with refined and elegant dining.
Archibald Campbell, 3rd Duke of Argyll, is generally credited with inventing the argyle. He commissioned the silversmith Fuller White to make him one in 1755.
Archibald Campbell, 3rd Duke of Argyll, is generally credited with inventing the argyle. He commissioned the silversmith Fuller White to make him one in 1755.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver and wood |
| Brief description | Silver, English |
| Physical description | A George III cylindrical plain argyle with foliage base, the short spout at right angles to the turned wood baluster handle, the hinged flat topped cover with gadrooned border, engraved with the Ormonde crest. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | ARGYLE
London 1808-9
Mark of T. Phipps and E. Robinson
Engraved with the Ormonde crest.
Argyles ahd a double wall creating a sleeve for hot water which kept the gravy warm. The Hon. General Burgoyne's vase shaped silver argyle from Parker and Wakelin in 1777 cost £3 14s plus the handle at £2 2s and an engraved crest at ^d.
Accepted in lieu of tax from the Ormonde estate.
M.55-1982 |
| Credit line | Accepted in lieu of tax from the Ormonde estate |
| Object history | Acquisition RF: 53 / 599 In lieu of Estate Tax - Ormonde Estate |
| Summary | This silver argyle is designed to keep gravy or sauces hot. Argyles were ingenious vessels in which the liquid was heated in one of two ways. Some had an external jacket, filled with hot water, that enclosed an inner gravy reservoir. Others had a hot iron placed in an internal socket, like a tea-urn. Argyles were most popular between 1765 and 1800 and were made in silver, Sheffield plate, porcelain and earthenware. They were one of a number of specialised articles which evolved because of an increasing preoccupation with refined and elegant dining. Archibald Campbell, 3rd Duke of Argyll, is generally credited with inventing the argyle. He commissioned the silversmith Fuller White to make him one in 1755. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.55-1982 |
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| Record created | March 3, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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