An exceptional & very unusual George III National Emblem Egg Cruet made in London in 1819 by William Sharp.
An exceptional & very unusual George III National Emblem Egg Cruet made in London in 1819 by William Sharp.
375257
This very rare Egg Cruet has a six sided frame and stands on three paw and three scroll feet. The scroll feet and frame are beautifully decorated with flower heads in bloom including roses and the vertical supports of the frame are decorated with the national emblems of the Kingdom, the Thistle for Scotland, Rose for England and the Shamrock for Ireland. The supports, also display fruiting vines and Rococo shells. The top displays a Classical vase shaped Salt Cellar, with lobed body and foot decorated with a band of laurel leaves and berries. The arched handle is also decorated with roses and flower heads in bloom. The six egg cups also have a vase form, with pedestal foot decorated with a laurel and berry band. The rim of each cup is decorated with sea shells, foliate motifs and flower heads. The interiors of the egg cups and the salt cellar display fine original gilding. The frame displays six double struck egg spoons which were made in London by George Adams in 1854. The quality of this piece is outstanding, as would be expected of this maker. Little survives of the work of William Sharp who was apprentice to Samuel Wheatley who was known for his unusual, quality, designs. He had workshops at 16, Red Cross Square when this piece was made. The frame is fully marked, as are all of the egg cups and the spoons. This is the first time we have seen this unusual design celebrating the United Kingdom.
The Frame, Egg Cups and Spoons are all engraved with a double family Crest below the Coronet of a Baron. The Crests are those of Lister and Cunliffe, as used by Samuel Lister (1815-1906). He was an industrialist and was an important figure in the Bradford wool industry, which made him a multi millionaire. He invented the Lister Nip Comb, which separated and straightened raw wool. In 1887 he was made High Sheriff of Yorkshire and in 1891 was elevated to the Peerage as the 1st Baron Lister of Masham. A portrait of Baron Lister, by John Collier, is shown as well as his seat, Swinton Park, County Yorks.
Height: 9 inches, 22.5 cm.
Diameter of the frame.8.1 inches, 20.25 cm.
Weight: 55oz.
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. He was an industrialist and was an important figure in the Bradford wool industry, which made him a multi millionaire. He invented the Lister Nip Comb, which separated and straightened raw wool. In 1887 he was made High Sheriff of Yorkshire and in 1891 was elevated to the Peerage as the 1st Baron Lister of Masham. A portrait of Baron Lister, by John Collier, is shown as well as his seat, Swinton Park, County Yorks.Height: 9 inches, 22.5 cm.Diameter of the frame.8.1 inches, 20.25 cm.Weight: 55oz. ){kind=link}