The Silver Antiques Insider

Silver Antiques Big Enough To Bathe In??

via and Temple Newsam House

Talk about a wine cooler! This 18th-century silver wine cooler weighs about 150 pounds and, according to the BBC, is "almost big enough to bathe in." Originally purchased at a UK auction last year for more than 2.5 million pounds (about 4 million dollars), it was about to be exported when a consortium of British cultural organizations, calling the massive silver cooler an item of "national significance," rallied to purchase the antique piece. 

According to the National Heritage Memorial Fund:

The cooler was commissioned by Thomas Wentworth, 3rd Baron Raby and later Earl of Stafford, when he became the ambassador to Berlin in 1706. It is the largest of three surviving ambassadorial coolers in the UK...[and] would have formed part of the large collection of silver typically taken abroad by British ambassadors to entertain in a style worthy of their sovereign. It was used during the ceremonial surrounding the serving of wine, which was the fashion in the grand dining rooms of the early 18th century.

The cooler was created by Phiip Rollos the Elder, described by the Art Fund as "an English goldsmith, possibly of French birth – his surviving work shows a strong influence of the Huguenot style. He ran one of the most successful workshops in London during the late 17th century, and was appointed subordinate goldsmith to both William III and Queen Anne. Following his death he was succeeded in the role by his son, Philip Rollos the Younger."

If you happen to be in Leeds, stop by the Temple Newsam House, where this amazing item of antique silver is on display. 

And if your interest antique silver wine items has been piqued, explore the silver wine accessories we're currently featuring at Nelson and Nelson. Unfortunately, we cannot (at this time) offer an item big enough to bathe in!

Celebrate National Writing Day With Antique Silver

Today is the National Day on Writing, and here at Nelson and Nelson we'd like to happily acknowledge all of the wonderful ways that the innate qualities of silver have inspired classic English idioms and phrases such as "born with a silver spoon in his mouth," "on a silver platter," "silver-tongued," "silver bullet," and "the silver screen." As you most likely notice, they all denote wealth or quality. Then there's also the writers who celebrate the beauty of silver:

Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby. --Langston Hughes


Celebrate the writer in your life with this beautiful and rare sterling silver double ink well and tray by the premier American silversmiths at Tiffany & Co. The Wave Edge pattern of the ball-footed rectangular tray captures the essence of the Art Nouveau style. Each square inkwell, arranged on either side of a central compartment, features its original cobalt glass liner and has a domed lid embellished with vegetal decoration and a leafy finial; engraved scrolls accentuate the sides of the compartments. Like all of Tiffany’s work this double inkwell has been expertly crafted and decorated from heavy gauge silver with the utmost skill. For more information, click here. 

Exquisite Antique Jewelry From Eugene Fontenay

At Nelson and Nelson, we are always especially pleased to highlight objects of particular aesthetic and historical importance, and our recent acquisition of this gold locket with diamond accents, attributed to Eugene Fontenay, is no different. 

One of the most celebrated goldsmiths of 19th century France, Fontenay (1823-1887) was particularly embraced for his exquisite use of the ancient gold-smithing traditions of filigree and granulation to create beautiful pieces of jewelry reminiscent of ancient Greek and Roman designs, with a decidedly (albeit 19th-century) modern twist. Examples of Fontenay's work are featured the some of the top museums of the world, including the Met and the British Museum.

This absolutely gorgeous 18 karat yellow gold, diamond and enamel locket, circa 1860, is attributed to Eugene Fontenay. Although it is unsigned, many of Fontenay’s pieces were not signed until the late 1860s. Eugene Richet, a well-known miniaturist who painted plaques used in Fontenay’s jewelry, most likely enameled this particular locket. The rose-cut diamonds surrounding the plaque are typical of Fontenay’s designs, while the granulated and rope-style appliqués on the locket are of extremely fine quality and execution. For more information on this extraordinary locket, click here. 

Beautiful Gift Ideas From Buccellati

We just wanted to bring your attention to two exquisite silver items recently acquired by Nelson and Nelson. These animal-figure table ornaments are striking in their realism, and were made by the Buccelati, an Italian firm originally established in the mid-18th century which is heralded for its exquisite and varied work. If you're looking for a beautiful and original gift this fall, please consider these beautiful and unique silver items. 

This charming Buccellati 800 silver gilt table ornament was made in Italy circa 1970. The duck is realistically formed with a feathered coat and is oxidized and partially gilded for a more realistic interpretation. For more information, click here. 

This adorable Buccellati 800 silver gilt table ornament, made in Italy circa 1970, is in the shape of a seal. Its coat is realistically formed with a flat hair coat and whiskers. Like the duck (above) the body of this piece is signed “Buccellati Italy” on the under side of the base and is hallmarked 800. For more information, click here.