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Impressive silver NSW steeple chase lidded trophy by J M Wendt…
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Sydney
Date:
4-Apr-2012
Lot No.
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Description:
Impressive silver NSW steeple chase lidded trophy by J M Wendt c1865, with figures of Victory handles and elaborately chased with foliage, the cover with horse finial and horses running a steeple chase, engraved with an early crest of NSW flanked by a kangaroo and emu below a rising sun and the motto Advance Australia, the foot rim later engraved: 'Presented to Alice L Gardiner By S Gardiner of Melbourne Australia'. Ref: JBH221 No. 232. Marks: English hallmarks mostly erased with Jmw also (lion)/ Jm Wendt/ Adelaide, to base rim. Height overall: 48 cm; weight: 3360grams. Provenance: Private Collection. Notes: This cup represents a re-working of a British chalice dating to probably William IV with the extension to the foot, the Victory handles and the cover being of colonial work, the engraved coat of arms represents a puzzle. It is an unofficial design known as the Captain silk version, after Thomas silk, an early settler in the Richmond area & Sons of the Captain of the convict ship the Prince of orange which made several journeys including one in 1821when this plaque was repudetly presented. It represents a very early attempt an Autralian heraldry. It is still unclear who the benefactor was or by whom it was painted. Wendt had migrated from Schleswig-Holstein to Adelaide in 1854. Wendt opened a shop soon after arrival, but what the extant of the business is unclear especially as no recorded pieces seem to exist. This is further complicated as much of the work even into the 1860s and beyond is credited to other silversmiths. It all adds to the mystery and question of why a cup for presumably the NSW market was being orderd in Adelaide at this early date.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Silver: Mugs, Cups & Goblets