Steppes Hill Farm Antiques Newsletter #82 - June 2018

Edward H. Stockwell

Working from 1865 to 1894 in London, E H (Edward) Stockwell is renowned as a maker of novelty items cast in silver which became ‘all the rage’ with his Victorian customers. Any catalogue of his works shows a wide variety including inkwells, vesta cases, scents and decorative additions for decanters, but he is, perhaps, particularly known for the fine and detailed naturalistic forms of flowers, animals and birds to be found most amongst his peppers and vinaigrettes. As a special feature this month, SHFA is pleased to bring together three vinaigrettes formed as a thistle, a rose spray and a carnation that demonstrate the quality and abiding attraction of this silversmith’s art and skill.

In 1876 he was awarded a competition prize of £25 by the Goldsmiths' Company for a design for a presentation casket. Stockwell's business at 15 Greek Street was taken over during 1894 by William Tietzsch - ornamental gold, silver and metal manufacturer.

The following silver items bearing E.H.Stockwell's mark have been noted: a novelty cast silver pepper formed as a seated collared cat, London 1876, a table snuff box, London 1865, retailed by Henry Lewis, 172 New Bond Street, a scent flask / smelling salts bottle with silver gilt mounts, one set with a watch, London 1871, retailed by C.S.Proctor, Newcastle-on-Tyne, a padlock shaped vesta / fusee case, London 1875, retailed by Walter Thornhill, 144 New Bond Street, a desk seal in the form of a lady's walking shoe, London 1876, retailed by Walter Thornhill, a greyhound scent flask, London 1877, retailed by T.Jones of London & Paris, a silver mounted glass "lotus" claret jug, London 1880, a cigarette case, London 1884, retailed by Alfred Clark, 20 Old Bond Street, four menu holders, London 1885, retailed by Thornhill & Co, 144 New Bond Street, a novelty pepper made in the form of a bear sitting on its hind legs, London 1875, a model of a water cart, London 1885, retailed by Leuchars & Son, 38 & 39 Piccadilly and Paris, a silver cased barometer/thermometer/compass, London 1889, retailed by Alfred Clark, 20 Old Street and a novelty cast silver scent bottle made in the form of an onion, a sprung mechanism to the base which when revolved allows the scent bottle to pop-up, London, 1881.

All of above were superbly well crafted and of the finest quality. The three Vinaigrettes listed are perfect examples of this great Victorian silversmiths work.

   Victorian Novelty Cast Silver      Victorian Novelty Cast Silver       Victorian Novelty Cast Silver
          Thistle Vinaigrette                      Carnation Vinaigrette                   Rose Spray Vinaigrette
          By E.H.Stockwell,                        By E.H.Stockwell,                        By E.H.Stockwell,
              London 1876.                               London 1876.                                London 1880.

Featured Item

An extremely fine and rare George III silver Vinaigrette of large flat shallow rectangular form, the cover engraved with a panel depicting three soldiers aiming Muskets (two standing behind a third down on one knee) on a hatched background. A vertical motif of a central flower and foliage to either side, the base with a similar motif centrally, plain sides. Pierced silver gilt grille with a lyre, two bugles and two sheets of music within double lines surrounded by scrolling stems of fleur de lys. By Matthew Linwood, Birmingham, 1813



Victorian Parcel Gilt Engine Turned Silver Vinaigrette	George V Silver Mustard Pot With Dolphin Finial	Edwardian Scottish Silver Owl Mustard Pot with Mouse Spoon	Early Victorian Silver Gilt Castle-Top Vinaigrette 'Warwick Castle'



Cased Victorian Silver & Enamel Cigarette Case St Bernard Dog	Edwardian Novelty Silver Polar Bear Pin Cushion	George IV Silver Sauce Label for Curacoa Orange	Cased Art Deco 5 Piece Silver, Ivory & Niello Dressing Table Set

Once again I am pleased to be able to update the site this month with over 25 new items of stock and some highlights include; a Victorian Parcel Gilt Engine Turned Silver Vinaigrette, a George V Silver Mustard Pot with Dolphin Finial, an Edwardian Scottish Silver Owl Mustard Pot with Mouse Spoon, an early Victorian Silver Gilt Castle-Top Vinaigrette depicting Warwick Castle, a cased Victorian Silver & Enamel Cigarette Case depicting a St Bernard Dog, a rare Edwardian Novelty Silver Polar Bear Pin Cushion, a rare George IV Silver Sauce Label for Curacoa Orange and a cased Art Deco 5 Piece Silver, Ivory & Niello Dressing Table Set by H.G.Murphy.

I do hope that you will find this Newsletter informative and helpful and will allow us send it to you on a regular basis. I would welcome any feedback you may have, both positive and negative.

David W.A. Buck.
Steppes Hill Farm Antiques