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A Spectacular Sterling Silver Centrepiece With Strong Victorian…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
27-May-2023
Lot No.
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Description:
A Spectacular Sterling Silver Centrepiece With Strong Victorian & Aireys Inlet Associations, The centrepiece (72 cm high; over 280oz or approx. 8,000gms) by Smith & Nicholson of London; 1863, is in the form of a eucalyptus tree, with six scrolling branches, each terminating in a candle sconce. Standing around the base of the tree trunk are the figures of a shepherd with ewe and lamb, a sailor holding an oar and surrounded by other equipment, and Demeter, the Greek Goddess of the Harvest; the three of them accompanied by an emu and all standing on a naturalistic rocky ground with native ferns adorning each of the three feet. Three blank rock faces to the base have been engraved with the Airey family crest, coat of arms and the family initials. John Moore Cole Airey (c.1811 – 1893) was a politician in colonial Australia, member of the New South Wales Legislative Council 1847 to 1848. He was born in London, the second son of Sir George Airey and the Hon. Catherine Talbot, daughter of Margaret O'Reilly Talbot, 1st Baroness Talbot of Malahide . His elder brother was Sir Richard Airey, 1st Baron Airey and his youngest brother was Sir James Talbot Airey . An officer in the Royal Navy, he entered the Navy on 1 January 1821 and became a lieutenant on 13 May 1829. He served on the Medina on the African Station and later served in the Mediterranean. He returned to England in 1837 and shortly afterwards emigrated to New South Wales. Airey became an active purchaser of land in the Port Phillip District (which became Victoria in 1851) during the early Government land sales, particularly in areas near Geelong. At the first St. Kilda Land Sale in 1842 he purchased 'allotment 2' situated on the Esplanade. He also owned property at Aireys Inlet and 'Killingworth' on the Goulburn River, where he lived for some time. Airey was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council as member for Port Phillip on 22 December 1847, and was sworn in on 22 March 1848. Aireys Inlet in Victoria was named for John Airey, who settled in the area in 1842 and Airey joined the Melbourne Club in 1845. He eventually left the Colony and returned to England. The King of Portugal made him a Viscount, and he died in Lisbon on 17 July 1893.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified