DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1399#0011
PLATE 202,
CANDELABRUM AND VASES,
BY MESSRS. HUNT & 110SKELL, LONDON.
A LTHOUGH we have described the noble centre-piece of our present illustration as a
-*--*- candelabrum, it serves also the purpose of a vase on the removal of the upper portion.
It certainly Avas one of the chefs-d'oeuvre of the International Exhibition, and was designed
and executed by that great and esteemed artist Antoine Vechte, in silver and iron, chased
and damascened with gold, for the late Marquis of Breadalbane, K.T. This important work
of art forms the repository of a number of the Poniatowski gems, which are rendered translucent
by internal light.
The body of the vase is enriched with two figures of Venus, in keeping with the subjects
of the intaglios: upon the shoulders of the vase are those of Mars and Venus; and on the foot are
figures allegorical of the birth of Genius. On the apex of the composition are four female figures
of the Seasons; the whole being combined with foliage and ornament, in which the artist has
given free rein to his fancy; to a dangerous extent, we think, as the representation of masks
and grotesques incised on leaves, &c. is out of place, and is characteristic of the works which
marked the decline of the Renaissance style. From the neck of the vase spring five branches,
elaborately damascened, and supporting glass globes bound with zones of gold, in which are
also set intaglios; the result of which arrangement, when the piece is lighted, would be,
doubtless, very effective. The height of this grand specimen of the silversmith's art was nearly
six feet.
The remaining vases consist of the Goodwood cup for 1857, designed and executed in
oxydized silver by Mr. F. H. Hunt, ornamented with subjects from Shakspeare's "Midsummer
Night's Dream;" illustrating episodes in the quarrel of Oberon and Titania; the handles
composed of figures representing their reconciliation. On the foot are masks of Comedy
and Tragedy, with a portrait also of Shakspeare; the whole combined with Eenaissance orna-
ment very gracefully composed on a pounced ground, and surmounted by an infant figure of
the genius of Poetry. This truly artistic work is the property of the Count de la Grange,
who has done so much towards introducing horse-racing in France.
The subject of the other vase is taken from Homer. On the foot is a bas-relief representing
the horse in a wild state : the figures are allegorical of the taming of the horse by Prudence
and Valour: the bas-relief round the vase illustrates various passages of the ancient poets in
relation to the subject; the figures on the handles represent a Greek hero and an Amazon,
the cover being surmounted by Pegasus, the apotheosis of the horse. This was the last prize
given by the late Emperor of Russia to the Ascot races, and was worthy in point of design
and vigorous execution of Antoine Vechte, to whom its production was confided.
Among other remarkable works in oxydized silver, which we should have desired to illustrate
had our space permitted it, are especially to be recorded the testimonial to the Right Honourable
Sir John Pakington, Bart., G.C.B., &c, designed and executed by that admirable artist
H. H. Armstead; and the shield presented to the late Sir James Outram, Bart., G.C.B.,
representing, in low relief, the principal events in the career of that truly heroic soldier and
statesman. This, also, was made by Armstead; and, considering its importance, composition,
and manipulation, the excellence of its grouping, and the expression of individual characters, we
regard it as one of the very finest works ever produced in the silversmith's art.
The scabbards of the swords presented to Sir C. J. Napier, G.C.B., designed and executed
by Mr. Alfred Brown; Sir W. F. Williams, K.C.B. ; and Sir J. E. W. Inglis, K.C.B., by
Mr. Thomas Brown, were remarkable for the clever manner in which minute chasing of figure-
subjects was practised on oxydized silver. As regards Vechte's great works, they are too well
known to need recapitulation here; but we cannot refrain from expressing our warm admiration
of a platinum reponsd book-cover, executed by him for H.R.H. the Duke d'Aumale. It was destined
to inclose a very valuable ancient missal belonging to the Bourbon family, and was worthy
of its destination, being one of the most finished and delicate pieces we have ever seen, and
of a morbidezza which we could not have believed producible in metal. In fine, the enterprise
and good taste of Mr. Hunt were evinced in a collection of such works of art as found few
rivals in the whole Exhibition.
CANDELABRUM AND VASES,
BY MESSRS. HUNT & 110SKELL, LONDON.
A LTHOUGH we have described the noble centre-piece of our present illustration as a
-*--*- candelabrum, it serves also the purpose of a vase on the removal of the upper portion.
It certainly Avas one of the chefs-d'oeuvre of the International Exhibition, and was designed
and executed by that great and esteemed artist Antoine Vechte, in silver and iron, chased
and damascened with gold, for the late Marquis of Breadalbane, K.T. This important work
of art forms the repository of a number of the Poniatowski gems, which are rendered translucent
by internal light.
The body of the vase is enriched with two figures of Venus, in keeping with the subjects
of the intaglios: upon the shoulders of the vase are those of Mars and Venus; and on the foot are
figures allegorical of the birth of Genius. On the apex of the composition are four female figures
of the Seasons; the whole being combined with foliage and ornament, in which the artist has
given free rein to his fancy; to a dangerous extent, we think, as the representation of masks
and grotesques incised on leaves, &c. is out of place, and is characteristic of the works which
marked the decline of the Renaissance style. From the neck of the vase spring five branches,
elaborately damascened, and supporting glass globes bound with zones of gold, in which are
also set intaglios; the result of which arrangement, when the piece is lighted, would be,
doubtless, very effective. The height of this grand specimen of the silversmith's art was nearly
six feet.
The remaining vases consist of the Goodwood cup for 1857, designed and executed in
oxydized silver by Mr. F. H. Hunt, ornamented with subjects from Shakspeare's "Midsummer
Night's Dream;" illustrating episodes in the quarrel of Oberon and Titania; the handles
composed of figures representing their reconciliation. On the foot are masks of Comedy
and Tragedy, with a portrait also of Shakspeare; the whole combined with Eenaissance orna-
ment very gracefully composed on a pounced ground, and surmounted by an infant figure of
the genius of Poetry. This truly artistic work is the property of the Count de la Grange,
who has done so much towards introducing horse-racing in France.
The subject of the other vase is taken from Homer. On the foot is a bas-relief representing
the horse in a wild state : the figures are allegorical of the taming of the horse by Prudence
and Valour: the bas-relief round the vase illustrates various passages of the ancient poets in
relation to the subject; the figures on the handles represent a Greek hero and an Amazon,
the cover being surmounted by Pegasus, the apotheosis of the horse. This was the last prize
given by the late Emperor of Russia to the Ascot races, and was worthy in point of design
and vigorous execution of Antoine Vechte, to whom its production was confided.
Among other remarkable works in oxydized silver, which we should have desired to illustrate
had our space permitted it, are especially to be recorded the testimonial to the Right Honourable
Sir John Pakington, Bart., G.C.B., &c, designed and executed by that admirable artist
H. H. Armstead; and the shield presented to the late Sir James Outram, Bart., G.C.B.,
representing, in low relief, the principal events in the career of that truly heroic soldier and
statesman. This, also, was made by Armstead; and, considering its importance, composition,
and manipulation, the excellence of its grouping, and the expression of individual characters, we
regard it as one of the very finest works ever produced in the silversmith's art.
The scabbards of the swords presented to Sir C. J. Napier, G.C.B., designed and executed
by Mr. Alfred Brown; Sir W. F. Williams, K.C.B. ; and Sir J. E. W. Inglis, K.C.B., by
Mr. Thomas Brown, were remarkable for the clever manner in which minute chasing of figure-
subjects was practised on oxydized silver. As regards Vechte's great works, they are too well
known to need recapitulation here; but we cannot refrain from expressing our warm admiration
of a platinum reponsd book-cover, executed by him for H.R.H. the Duke d'Aumale. It was destined
to inclose a very valuable ancient missal belonging to the Bourbon family, and was worthy
of its destination, being one of the most finished and delicate pieces we have ever seen, and
of a morbidezza which we could not have believed producible in metal. In fine, the enterprise
and good taste of Mr. Hunt were evinced in a collection of such works of art as found few
rivals in the whole Exhibition.