18th May, 2024 9:30 GMT/BST
Jewellery, Watches & Silver
2300
A Three-Piece George V Silver and Niello Dressing-Table Service
by Henry George Murphy, London, 1931, With Falcon Studios Mark
in the Art Deco style, each piece with niello flowers and foliage, with niello initials 'RA McQ', comprising a hand-mirror; a hair-brush, each with carved ivory finial and a comb-back, teeth lacking
the hand-mirror 25.5cm long (3)
Niello is a traditional technique which Murphy himself describes as '... dating back to the 1st century A.D.' (P. Atterbury and J. Benjamin, Arts and Crafts to Art Deco The Jewellery and Silver of H. G. Murphy, Woodbridge, 2005, p. 168), in the working notes for a lecture he presented at Goldsmiths' Hall in 1935. He describes the process in some detail and his receipe in particular as using '3 parts silver, 2 parts copper and 1 part lead. The copper and silver and melted together in a crucible and when properly mixed the lead is added'. Other examples of dressing-table services by Murphy which are decorated with niello are known, for example a six-piece service with very similarly carved ivory finials (op. cit., p. 116).
With non-transferable standard ivory exemption declaration number 4L7PDRYK.
Sold for £320
Estimated at £250 - £350
Each piece fully marked and further struck with Falcon studios mark. The marks are generaly clear. There is some scratching and wear to the marks overall. The bristles on the brush are very worn. The comb is lacking the teeth. The mirror with some minor flaws to the mirror plate. The ivory shows no indication of additions or restoration.
Auction: Jewellery, Watches & Silver, 18th May, 2024
The May Jewellery, Watches and Silver Sale will include an interesting group of late 17th and 18th century silver, lead by a circa 1650 Memento Mori Watch-Case in the form of a Skull, and a William III Silver Punch Bowl made in London in 1697 by Benjamin Pyne. Also of interest is a group of three lots of silver by early 20th century master silversmith H.G. Murphy, and a silver sculptural trophy of Shakespeare, given in memory of an actor killed in WWII, is to be sold by the Hull Music Festival to raise funds to support the education and development of young performers in the area.
The Jewellery section will be opened by a selection of silver jewellery by Georg Jensen, which will include a stylish matching set of ‘Forget-Me-Knot’ Earrings and Brooch designed by Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe for Georg Jensen. Colourful jewels are also amongst the highlights, with pieces by Catherine Best and H. Stern, and a Citrine and Diamond Brooch. There are also several sets of Gentleman's Cufflinks.
A good offering of World War II Military Watches, from a Private Collection, lead a wide variety of vintage collectable and luxury watches, alongside a selection of pocket watches. Highlights include a rare circa 1944 IWC Mark X Military Issue Wristwatch – one of the so called “Dirty Dozen”, a 2006 18 carat gold Hermès Lady’s Cape Cod Wristwatch, and a rare 1809 Silver Eight Day Duration Verge Pocket Watch with Calendar Display by Jno Hill of London.
Viewing
Wednesday 15 May - Friday 17 May 10am-4pm and the morning of sale from 8am
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