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Flagon
Probably by: John Acton (English (London), working 1595, died 1638)
English (London)
1607–08
Object Place: Europe, London, England
Medium/Technique
Silver gilt
Dimensions
H. 30.4 cm (11 15/16 in.); W. 20.1 cm (7 15/16 in.); Diameter (of foot) 13.5 cm (5 5/16 in.); Weight 1219.1 gm (39 oz 4 dwt)
Credit Line
Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Charlotte Beebe Wilbour
Accession Number56.1184
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsSilver
DescriptionThe foot of the flagon is molded and stamped with egg-and-dart decoration. A flared border above is flat-chased in a fluted pattern. The tall body of the flagon has slightly tapering sides. The decoration is flat-chased in three horizontal registers with a pattern of intertwining foliage, flowers, grapes, and grayhounds against a punched ground. At the center of the decoration is an asymmetrical blank shield. The bun-shaped cover has a flaring rim and molding stamped with ovolo and fluted decoration. It is flat-chased with a pattern of foliage and grayhounds. The thumbpiece is in the shape of a cartouche enclosing the head of a putto. The spool-shaped finial is surmounted by a cast collar and a baluster finial. The handle is ear shaped and is engraved along the spine with a foliate pattern and on the terminus with a hatched pattern. The body of the flagon is raised. The foot rim is formed from four pieces, chased, die-punched, and soldered. The cover is raised; the molded, die-struck rim is attached. The handle is formed from two pieces. The thumbpiece and finial are cast. The gilding has been renewed.
Marks
On cover near finial and repeated on underside of base, date letter K; lion passant; leopard's head crowned; maker's mark IA a pellet below in a shaped shield (Jackson, 1921, p. 114; rev. ed. 1989, p. 103)
InscriptionsScratched on base, 30 oo; xxxix oz half...
ProvenanceMay 18, 1898, anonymous sale, Christie, Manson and Woods, London, lot 138, to Wells for £461. The Earl of Kilmorey (probably Francis Charles, 3rd Earl, b. 1842 - d. 1915); July 13, 1926, Earl of Kilmorey estate sale, Christie, Manson and Woods, London, lot 95, to Walter H. Willson, Ltd., London, for £1,040. Mrs. F. H. Cook; June 14, 1934, Cook sale, Sotheby's, London, lot 151, sold for £1,000 to William Permain, London, for William Randolph Hearst (b. 1863 - d. 1951), St. Donat's Castle, Wales; December 14, 1938, Hearst sale, Christie, Manson and Woods, London, lot 96, to Sotheby's for £999. 1946, with James Robinson, New York. 1956, Thomas Lumley, Ltd., London; 1956, sold by Lumley to the MFA for £2,250 [see note 1]. (Accession Date: December 13, 1956)
Notes:
[1] MFA object numbers 56.1183 and 56.1184 were purchased together.
Notes:
[1] MFA object numbers 56.1183 and 56.1184 were purchased together.