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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 Silverplate Forum
 Rogers Smith Aesthetic Sugar and Creamer
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| Author | Topic: Rogers Smith Aesthetic Sugar and Creamer |
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nautilusjv Posts: 253 |
posted 12-16-2010 09:09 AM
  
Hello everyone. At the Pier show last month I purchased this Aesthetic sugar and creamer by Rogers Smith with lovely incised decoration of birds, foliage, a stylized pine tree? and a decorative geometric band. Around the top of each piece is also a decorative (cast) band of leaves and stylized flowers. My question is about these stylized flowers. They look familiar to me as if they were a commonly used motif? Does anyone recognize them as such or am I perhaps projecting? Thanks for any thoughts! IP: Logged |
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Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
posted 12-16-2010 11:00 AM
The decorative bands (probably die-rolled rather than cast), appear to depict anthemia, which are designs of radiating petals or leaves. They were commonly used in classical art & architecture. IP: Logged |
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nautilusjv Posts: 253 |
posted 12-16-2010 11:17 AM
Thank you so much Paul for the information and correction about manufacture! I knew that the motif name started with an "a" and that it was a classical motif, not an Aesthetic one, but could not remember it for the life of me. It made me think that perhaps the form of the sugar and creamer was an older model that was then decorated with a more fashionable Aesthetic design when tastes changed. According to Rainwater the holloware division of Rogers Smith was begun in 1862, so maybe it was an older die? And Meriden Britannia bought the holloware division in 1863. And the mark on this sugar and creamer is after 1865 when the division was moved to Meriden (and of course obviously later by style as well.) Just a thought and a footnote, but I find it fascinating. Or perhaps it is just an example of Victorian eclecticism. IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 12-16-2010 01:53 PM
I think the little four-petaled flowers in the lozenges in between the anthemia, and also on the handle, are supposed to be forget-me-nots. IP: Logged |
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nautilusjv Posts: 253 |
posted 12-16-2010 02:10 PM
Thanks Polly for your thoughts, that seems right. Kelly IP: Logged |
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Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
posted 12-16-2010 03:49 PM
Can't make out the detail on the handles & finial on the sugar dish, but they do not seem too Japanesque. The finial almost looks like an Egyptian Revival lotus blossom. IP: Logged |
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nautilusjv Posts: 253 |
posted 12-16-2010 07:29 PM
Here are 2 detail pics of the handle and the sugar lid finial. I think you are right Paul the finial looks like a lotus blossom. For what I've learned the Egyptian Revival period was 1820-1850, but I have seen pieces in that "style" in later silverplate. The handle does look similar to forget-me-nots. Paul would you mind if I used your anthemia illustration in my blog post? I can credit you if you like. Thanks, Kelly IP: Logged |
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Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
posted 12-16-2010 08:06 PM
I think the Egyptian Revival extended beyond the 1850s. It appears in the 1860s-1870s on a variety of silver (the "Lotus" patterns, various designs with sphinges, etc.), to a smaller degree in the 1880s (although I'm not sure if this was a continuation of the revival, or simply manufacturers using unwanted Egyptian Revival overstock parts under the guise of eclecticism), and beyond, existing quietly until the next Egyptian Revival in 1922. The design on your set's handles are more Japanesque than I initially discerned from the first picture. The blossoms (possibly dogwood, since forget-me-nots have five petals) against a stippled background are fairly Japanesque. But those look like acanthus leaves at the top of the handles. Yes, I'd say your set contains quite a pastiche of decorative styles. Feel free to use "my" image of anthemia on your blog. No need to credit me, since I merely took it from a google image search. [This message has been edited by Paul Lemieux (edited 12-16-2010).] IP: Logged |
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nautilusjv Posts: 253 |
posted 12-16-2010 08:15 PM
Thanks Paul. I noted the discrepancy in petals as wella and the stippled ground seems reminiscent of Japanese metal work. A set of Gorham Japanese coffee spoons I have have a similar ground. IP: Logged |
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Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 |
posted 12-17-2010 09:23 AM
All the bells and whistles! Especially in silverplate, the mixing of motifs--Egyptian, neo-grec, and Japanesque--is no surprise. All of these styles, broadly speaking, fall into the Aesthetic Movement. The Neo-Grec (classical)details start earlier, but have a long shelf life in design terms. These nifty pieces exemplify the truism that you got a lot more style for your money in much silverplate than you did in sterling, where designers tended to be more aware of upper-crust taste and its instinct to restraint (if you can imagine some of that stuff being called restrained). IP: Logged |
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nautilusjv Posts: 253 |
posted 12-17-2010 02:31 PM
Thank you Ulysses for a very interesting point. It makes sense that sterling in a sense had to be "restrained" as you say where as silverplate could go on an adventure so to speak. It is something I had not thought of, but it will certainly now stay with me. Best, Kelly And Happy Holidays everyone! IP: Logged |
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jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 12-21-2010 08:24 AM
Hi Kelly ! Your post had reminded me of my small only, 2 1/2" high creamer with birds flying around & sitting on branches with big leaves. Mine is only engraved on one side though & it is a Russian piece. The handle has beading on it. I found it at a yard sale black as coal. I was very surprised when I brought it home & it cleaned up beautifully. I love it. P.S. Jersey [This message has been edited by jersey (edited 12-21-2010).] IP: Logged |
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nautilusjv Posts: 253 |
posted 12-21-2010 09:37 AM
Thanks Jersey. I would love to see a pic of your creamer- what a find! You should post it. If you are going to any other show coming up in NYC, I would love to meet you. Best, Kelly IP: Logged |
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jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 12-21-2010 12:55 PM
Thanks Kelly! Unfortunately I have not mastered posting pictures for the forum. Hope to be going to the Pier again in the spring. Have a Merry Christmas & a healthy & prosperous New Year. Jersey IP: Logged |
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