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Claw-and-ball foot and other feet

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Author	Topic: Claw-and-ball foot and other feet
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 10-13-2011 08:07 AM [01-2966] quote: Originally posted by ahwt on 10-13-2011 12:14 AM in thread Whose feet are these?: We should start a thread on feet as revealed in silver. I believe the origins for the Claw-and-ball foot motif in silver and furniture was inspired by Chinese dragon claws. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 10-13-2011 12:02 PM IP: Logged
argentum1 Posts: 602 Registered: Apr 2004	posted 10-13-2011 12:04 PM Malletts of London has a Fine Arts News section and refers to the oriental Dragon Claw grasping the Pearl of Wisdom. quote: [<gone from the internet> mallettantiques.com/Public/News/ball-and-claw-foot-has-oriental-origins.news?id=800393805] Ball and claw foot 'has Oriental origins' 09/02/2011 Walnut and mahogany furniture dating back to the Georgian era is often embellished with a common feature on the legs. The ball and claw foot is an Oriental design, explains John Bly, author of Discovering English Furniture. He says it was used to symbolise the dragon's claw holding the pearl of wisdom and proved particularly popular at the start of the 18th century. "It was used in walnut and then in mahogany furniture until the 1760s, but went out of fashion after the classical revival," the author notes. An alternative version was also around at this time, with the claw of an eagle used rather than that of the dragon. Prior to this trend, many items of seating terminated in pad feet, such as Mallett's Queen Anne walnut wing chair, which dates back to 1710. The shaped cabriole legs accompany outward scrolling shoulder and arm supports and an elegant bowed front rail. IP: Logged
nautilusjv Posts: 253 Registered: Nov 2008	posted 11-27-2011 09:55 AM A pair of unmarked silverplate 19th century knife rests (one pictured)with I think some type of waterbird head, but the feet seem reminiscent ostrich feet. IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 11-27-2011 12:23 PM Here are the feet that started the conversation: IP: Logged
allentownboy Posts: 67 Registered: Feb 2009	posted 12-02-2011 12:35 AM Great topic. I admit I have a "foot fetish" regarding silver and it is often one of the first things that grab my attention when I am on the hunt for new pieces. Here are a few foot pics from items in my own collection: This foot is from an OSP Creswick breakfast warmer circa 1820. I love the fact the Lion's paw sits upon a ball. This ornate foot with a shell and flowers is from an OSP master salt by an unknown maker circa 1800. This massive paw foot is one of three on a large OSP mirrored plateau by Creswick circa 1820's. A very substantial foot for a very substantial (like 30 pounds!) piece. IP: Logged
ahwt Posts: 2334 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 12-14-2011 10:36 PM Above is a toast rake by Kirk that has interesting winged feet without the usual sandals normally worn by Hermes. A bare foot Hermes makes a great letter holder – much better that a cold toast holder. IP: Logged
ahwt Posts: 2334 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 12-14-2011 10:37 PM Above are the feet of an Old Sheffield Plate epergne. Given the detail in these feet I suspect that they were cast and might be solid silver. The center glass is original however the small bowls are replacements that are readily available from England. IP: Logged
ahwt Posts: 2334 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 12-14-2011 10:39 PM Above is a French egg cup with feet that caught my attention. I do not collect egg cups, but the feet were just right on this egg cup and I could not pass it up. IP: Logged
wev Moderator Posts: 4121 Registered: Apr 99	posted 12-14-2011 10:48 PM Definitely fit for Mr. Dodson's tea table; most excellent. IP: Logged
Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 Registered: Apr 2000	posted 12-15-2011 09:39 AM classic Hubert Harmon foot motif buttons one of his trademarks is also a foot motif. IP: Logged
ahwt Posts: 2334 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 12-15-2011 01:46 PM Above are the feet on a Kirk and Sons 11 oz tray and below are the feet on a Gorham tray retailed by George Webb. IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 04-15-2012 02:25 PM A silver-plate small teapot or biggish creamer by the Middletown Plate Co, with deer or stag feet: I wish I had the missing lid! I bet it had something fun and figural on it. IP: Logged
Postnikov Posts: 133 Registered: Nov 2009	posted 04-17-2012 09:39 AM Some random feet... Regards Postnikov IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 09-23-2012 12:24 PM Gorham's answer to Postnikov's egg cups: IP: Logged
ahwt Posts: 2334 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 09-23-2012 10:39 PM These legs are really special as they impart an energy not often found in chicken feet. Is G the date mark for 1874? Our granddaughter is dying for some live chickens to raise. I am not sure where this desire comes from, but we know many people that have applied for and received the necessary permits to raise chickens. We do buy eggs from one of our friends, but I must admit I have no desire to raise them. I fondly recall many Saturday mornings at Soulard Market (a farmers market in St. Louis) and vendors selling chicken feet. I asked one customer why she was buying them and her answer was "because each chicken only has two feet". How can one question that logic? IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 01-08-2013 12:44 PM IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 01-24-2013 03:14 PM Boars' trotters (and heads) on a pair of unmarked American coin silver salt dishes: IP: Logged

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