Benjamin Smith II Furniture

Our superb pair of Regency silver-gilt sugar vases and covers were made in London in 1816 by Benjamin Smith II and Benjamin Smith III, and retailed by Green, Ward and Green. Weight: 1,493 g, 48 oz. Height: 17.8 cm, 7 in. The vases after Roman marble models, vase-shaped and on square plinths, the lower body fluted above a band of scrolling foliage on a matted ground, the shoulder with a band of acanthus leaves, the cover chased with grapevine and with a bud finial. Each marked on foot and cover bezel, the foot further stamped 'Green, Ward and Green, Londini, fecerunt' The source of the design for these sugar vases is a Roman urn in the celebrated antique sculpture collection of the 1st Marquess of Lansdowne, identified by David Udy in Piranesi's Vasi, the English Silversmith and his Patrons, Burlington Magazine, December 1978, p. 837, fig. 55-57. Unlike the Warwick Vase, which had been popularized by Piranesi's engravings of the eighteenth century, the Lansdowne urn apparently was reproduced directly in silver before John Duit engraved it around 1813. The design in silver is attributed to the sculptor John Flaxman, who used a variation of the urn in his tomb monument for Sir Thomas Burrell in 1796. Flaxman became Rundell's most important designer around the time the firm became Royal Goldsmiths in 1804. In this period, Digby Scott...

Antique early 19th century Georgian Monumental solid silver figural centerpiece, raised on three cast scroll and shell feet, the base is applied with a very crisp scrolling foliate decoration in relief, supporting three large and finely modelled classical female figures (the three graces), holding cast floral garlands, top basket fitted with a cut glass tazza bowl. This is a very impressive and exceptional solid silver figural centerpieces. All parts hallmarked English silver (925 standard), London, year 1822 (g), Maker's mark BS (Benjamin Smith III), retailed by Green, Ward & Company London, Fecerunt (They have done) Benjamin Smith (1764-1823) who started his career in 1790 as an apprentice to Matthew Boulton. In 1802 he began working for Rundell & Bridge the most important luxury retailer of the first half of the 19th century. Benjamin Smith was at the heart of the company, directing and training the workshops, soon working along side Paul Storr who joined the firm in 1807. His work is highly valued and renowned, a perfect example of his work is the Jamaica Service of 1803, which is now in The Royal Collection. Having collaborated with Digby Scott...

A pair of impressive Antique Victorian sterling silver wine coolers with magnificent handles shaped like grape vines and leaves. The panels of the Wine / Champagne Coolers are embell...

Made in London in 1832, this jug is both useful and ornemental. Raised on an elegant foot and fluted stem, the baluster body swells to a pounced ground repoussee with floral garlands, in turn surmounted by an acanthus band, a motif reiterated by the handle. There is an inscription around the foot that reads" A parting tribute of grateful respect and esteem to the Rev.d Mourant Brock MA from a member of his late congregation, at the Abbey Church Bath. 1854. There is a further inscription "Goldsmith to the Queen, Bath" Unusually it is offered with an oak, blue velvet lined carrying case with a campaign type countersunk handle. The recipient was born in 1802 and died in 1883. Bath was a fashionable Spa town in Somerset, much patronised by high society. The Queen mentioned could be William IV's consort, Adelaide of Saxe Meinegen but is probably Victoria Since the presentation was made 22 years after the hallmark. Benjamin Smith...

DESCRIPTION Antique early-19th Century Georgian Monumental solid silver figural centerpiece, raised on three cast scroll and shell feet, the base is applied with a very crisp scrolling foliate decoration in relief, supporting three large and finely modelled classical female figures (the three graces), holding cast floral garlands, top basket fitted with a cut glass tazza bowl. This is a very impressive and exceptional solid silver figural centerpieces. All parts hallmarked English silver (925 standard), London, year 1822 (g), Maker's mark BS (Benjamin Smith III), retailed by Green, Ward & Company London, Fecerunt (They have done) Benjamin Smith (1764 – 1823) who started his career in 1790 as an apprentice to Matthew Boulton. In 1802 he began working for Rundell & Bridge the most important luxury retailer of the first half of the 19th century. Benjamin Smith was at the heart of the company, directing and training the workshops, soon working along side Paul Storr who joined the firm in 1807. His work is highly valued and renowned, a perfect example of his work is the Jamaica Service of 1803, which is now in The Royal Collection. Having collaborated with Digby Scott...