Full details of each lot are displayed, except the lot number, estimate and price. You must be a subscriber to view lot numbers, estimates and prices.
The 1862, Geelong District Wine Growers sterling silver cup and…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
19-May-2013
Lot No.
***
Description:
The 1862, Geelong District Wine Growers sterling silver cup and Australian silver collar the collar attributed to Louis Kitz, (1820-1887), Geelong; the cup with maker's mark Daniel and Charles Houle, London, circa 1859, the two handled cup with an ogee body, bearing the inscription 'Presented to / Louis Kitz Esqr / by the / wine growers of the Geelong District / in token of their esteem / for his laudable exertions in promoting the / colonial wine trade / Geelong Jany. 24th 1862,' richly embossed with a pastoral scene, the two sectional collar comprising chased and stippled overlapping vine leaves and graves, centred by a cartouche bearing an identical inscription to the body, the cup 780grs. Total weight of silver, 28 cm high; the collar 290grs. Total weight, each section measuring 11 cm wide, 13 cm high (irregular). History: Johann Louis Kitz (1820-1887), was one of a generation of German craftsman who immigrated to Australia at the time of the first gold rush in the second half of the 19th century. Born in Hanau, Kitz trained as a watchmaker and later worked as a watchmaker Regent Street, London, where he was appointed watchmaker to an English railway Company. However, little is known of Kitz's work after his arrival in Australia. Contemporary Geelong newspaper advertisements between 1853-1868 indicate that he was active as a manufacturing jeweller during this period. An 1864, advertisement in the Geelong Advertiser announcing the closure of his jewellery business, marks the time from which point Kitz transferred his business interests almost solely into the wine trade, purchasing the Ceres vineyard and focusing on the sale and promotion of Geelong wines. The silver collar on the cup presented here work is thought to be only the second known example of Kitz's work, the other being the Sir William - Beckett. While unmarked, both the English silver cup and collar bear a detailed inscription to Kitz in his later capacity as a wine merchant. According to professor Richard A.J O'hair, it is recorded in two newspaper articles that at a dinner meeting of the Vignerons of Geelong, Kitz was presented with a silver cup of his own manufacture in recognition of his service to the colonial wine industry. While the cup itself is of English manufacture, the fitted collar is attributed to Kitz. Reference: Houstone, J., O'Hair, R.A.J O'Hair and O'Hair, C.S, 'Louis Kitz: a newly identified Australian Goldsmith and Silversmith', Australiana, May 2008 Vol. 30 No. 2, pp 33-38
Estimate:
***
Price:
***
Category:
Silver: Mugs, Cups & Goblets