Description:

AN IMPORTANT AUSTRALIAN STERLING SILVER INKWELL BY WILLIAM EDWARDS AND PRESENTED TO GEORGE COPPIN
Melbourne, circa 1858, maker's mark W.E followed by separate kangaroo and emu marks

The well retaining its original glass liner enclosed within a hinged foliate cover raised on a domed openwork base of parrots, cockatoos, and other birds amidst fruiting grape vine and with a pen rest of vine twigs to one side, standing on four feet cast in relief with scenes respectively of a pair of kangaroos, pair of emus, a possum(?), and a further pair of emus in natural settings framed by foliate C-scrolls and with a pair of fox heads between the feet on opposing sides, the base of the cover engraved with an inscription 'To the Honble G.S. Coppin, M.L.C. from R.W. Younge as a slight token of great esteem and a sincere friendship, Melbourne, Feby 26th 1859.', the cartouche to the top of the cover engraved with a crest of a griffin rampant on a coronet
13.5cm high, 282g

PROVENANCE:
George Coppin, presented by Richard W. Younge on 26 February, 1859
J.C. Williamson, presumably acquired directly from Coppin
Thence by descent, whereupon acquired by the vendor


OTHER NOTES:
This inkwell is a rare example of Edwards's earliest work in Australia following his arrival in Melbourne in mid-1857 and closely related to his innovative work in London in the years immediately prior to his emigration.

The exotic birds and grapevine openwork of the base of the present lot is close to that of a claret jug by Edwards assayed in London in 1852 and described by John Hawkins as 'possibly unique in English silver at this date' (J.B. Hawkins, 19th Century Australian Silver (1990), vol 1, p. 218, pl. 177). Edwards used the same work and design for a swing-handled basket dated 1856 bearing the crest of the Dukes of Northumberland (Hawkins, p. 219, pl. 178) and another near identical basket made by Edwards soon after his arrival in Australia and now in the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney (object no. A7422). The Museum dates its basket to 1859 or soon after and describes it as Edwards's earliest piece using his Australian marks but, as the present lot must have been complete no later than early 1859, when it was presented, it is reasonable to suppose this inkwell might be equally early, if not earlier, in Edwards's Australian work.

While parrots and cockatoos were an exotic element in Edwards's earlier bird and grapevine pieces, this inkwell is alone amongst these in extending this exoticism to incorporate Australian fauna, marking a distinct transitional stage in Edwards's work as he adapted it to is new Australian market.

See the previous lot for a note on George Coppin and on the provenance of these two lots.

Richard W. Younge was an English stage manager who arrived in Melbourne in 1855 and was, at the time he presented the present lot, manager at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, operated by Coppin.

  • Condition: In very good condition consistent with age and handling, generally with little apparent wear.

    Small braces to the interior behind the left-hand pen rest indicate some previous work here; one point of the cockatoo's crest has been broken off and lost; and jagged edges and points to the top of the leaf behind the right-hand pen rest suggest the possibility of a small loss here. Intersections between the feet may have been strengthened to the underside.


    The opinions expressed in the condition reports are a guide only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek further information or request additional images during our pre-sale period where Leonard Joel staff are available for advice. Please note condition reports can be amended during the pre-sale period, so we strongly suggest any interested bidders check the published condition report available on the website before the auction commences. Leonard Joel makes no guarantee of the originality of mechanical or applied components. Absence of reference to such modifications does not imply that a lot is free from modifications.

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