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Epergne
Marked by: John Samuel Hunt (Working ca. 1819 - died in 1865)
Marked by: Hunt and Roskell (English (London), working 1843 – 1897)
Marked by: Hunt and Roskell (English (London), working 1843 – 1897)
English (London)
1848 or 1849
Object Place: Europe, London, England
Medium/Technique
Silver, glass
Dimensions
Height x width: 56 × 33 × 42.5 cm (22 1/16 × 13 × 16 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Lowell
Accession Number64.128a-c
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsSilver
DescriptionThe centerpiece rests on a shaped triangular base with a pair of lion's feet at each corner. The base is assembled from sheet, and the lion's feet are thinly cast. An oval plaque with a chased scrolled frame is bolted to each side of the triangle. The stem of the epergne is modeled in the form of a complex rocky base supporting a twisted grapewine. The branches and leaves interwine at the top to form a support for the fluted cut-glass bowl. The branches are cast in many sections and roughly assembled. Two putti are bolted to the rocky base, one standing, the other reclining and wearing a crown of grapes and raising a wine cup. A third putto leans down from the vines above, holding a cluster of grapes. The figures, each cast in several pieces, have an etched surface.
Marks
On edge of rocky base, maker's mark ISH (Culme 8350), repeated on underside of base; lion passant (repeated on underside of base and all original nuts); leopard's head; date letter n; sovereign's head (repeated on underside of base)
InscriptionsARMORIALS: engraved on two cartouches on the base, arms, crest and motto of Lowell.
INSCRIPTIONS: engraved in cartouche on the base, the initials of John Amory Lowell in cipher; engraved on underside of base, John Amory Lowell May 3rd 1848 from his grateful friend Mary Boott; John Amory Lowell / 1798-1881 / John Lowell / 1824-1897 / John Lowell / 1856-1922; stamped on rim of base, HUNT & ROSKELL LATE STORR MORTIMER & HUNT
INSCRIPTIONS: engraved in cartouche on the base, the initials of John Amory Lowell in cipher; engraved on underside of base, John Amory Lowell May 3rd 1848 from his grateful friend Mary Boott; John Amory Lowell / 1798-1881 / John Lowell / 1824-1897 / John Lowell / 1856-1922; stamped on rim of base, HUNT & ROSKELL LATE STORR MORTIMER & HUNT
ProvenanceGiven in 1848 by Mary Boott to John Amory Lowell (1798-1881), who married Susan Cabot Lowell; to their son John Lowell (1824-1897), who married Lucy B. Emerson; to their son John Lowell (1856-1922), who married Mary Emlen Hale; to their son Ralph Lowell (1890-1978), who married Charlotte Loring (1897-1984); Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Lowell to the MFA. (Accession Date: February 12, 1964)