Description

With Sterling Silver Mounts

From our Decanter collection, we are delighted to offer this very unusual late 19th-century Novelty Decanter. The Decanter modelled as a classical Lyre with glass body, Sterling Silver scrolling mounts and crossbar. The Lyre hallmarked to the Silver Heath & Middleton, Birmingham, 1890 (who worked under the Hukin & Heath brand ) in two places both the hinged decanter lids and the crossbar lower section to the centre. The Decanter also features the registration number below the Hallmark 238632. The decanter bottle is a very unusual and rare example of Victorian Novelty craftsmanship from the inspiration of Christopher Dresser.

Heath & Middleton (Hukin & Heath) the firm were active as manufacturing silversmiths and electroplaters established in Birmingham in 1855. In 1875 the firm entered its mark in Birmingham Assay Office, while in 1879 the founders Jonathan Wilson Hukin and John Thomas Heath entered their mark in London Assay Office. The firm was active at Imperial Works, Great Charles Street, Birmingham and had a showroom at 19 Charterhouse Street, London. Jonathan Wilson Hukin retired in 1881 and in 1886 John Thomas Heath continued the partnership with John Hartshorne Middleton. In 1904 the business was converted into a limited liability company under the style Hukin & Heath Ltd. The firm went out of business in 1953. The firm is well known for its production in the 1870s and 1880s of silver and electroplated wares under the guidance of Dr. Christopher Dresser.

Sterling Silver is an alloy composed by weight of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal fineness (parts per thousand) of 925.

Lyre a stringed musical instrument part of the lute-family and consists of two arms and a crossbar with strings. The Lyre has been featured on classical objects like the pair of vases above for thousands of years. They were commonly used in several ancient cultures surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The earliest known examples of the lyre have been recovered at archaeological sites that date to c. 2700 BCE in Mesopotamia.

With every purchase from Mark Goodger Antiques, you will receive our latest catalogue, a Certificate of Authenticity, detailed care instructions for your chosen piece and an independent invoice (for insurance purposes) will be enclosed. As well as being protected by a no-hassle, money-back policy, your piece will be entirely insured during the shipping process to ensure the safety of your item.

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