1st Mar, 2025 9:30 GMT/BST
20th Century Design
250
Omar Ramsden (1873-1939) & Alwyn Carr (1872-1940): An Arts & Crafts Silver and Enamel Biscuit-Box, London 1902, tapering oval, the sides chased with foliage scrolls and flowers, the pull-off cover enamelled with a scene of a windmill within a landscape, hallmarked London, 1902, maker's mark Rn&Cr, further stamped 'Designed and Made by Ramsden & Carr London'
18.2cm wide, 12.2cm high, gross weight 22oz 12dwt, 703gr
Provenance:
The David and Vivian Campbell Collection, Christie's, London, 20 April 2005, lot 3.
The Lion Collection.
Comprising some 85 lots the collection of David and Vivian Campbell was one of the most extensive collections of the work of Omar Ramsden, both working on his own and working in partnership with Alwyn Charles Ellison Carr, to have yet be offered for sale by auction. Much of the collection was published by Eric Turner and Lynn Springer Roberts in their catalogue English Silver, Masterpieces by Omar Ramsden From the Campbell Collection, David A. Hanks & Associates, New York, 1992, which was published to accompany an exhibition of the pieces of the collection which has been assembled by 1992. The collection was exhibited in Chicago, Montreal, Nashville, Williamstown and Toronto. As the present biscuit-box was not included in either the book or accompanying exhibition it presumably joined the collection after 1992. The collection was sold by Christie's in London on 20 April 2005.
The biscuit-box offered here represents an early example of their work, having only registered their first mark working in partnership in 1898, the same year they produced a mace for the City of Sheffield. By 1902, the year of the hallmark on the biscuit-box, there were already making extensive use of enamel panels such as the one featured here. As with other examples of their work, such as a vase offered as lot 4 in the same auction at Christie's which is decorated with pomegranates, the biscuit-box offered here shows the strong influence of the French Art Nouveau movement on their production during the early years of their partnership.
Sold for £3,800
Estimated at £4,000 - £6,000
Fully marked underneath and further part marked on cover bezel. The base further stamped 'Designed & Made by Ramsden & Carr London'. The marks are generally clear. There is some overall surface scratching and wear, consistent with age and use. The wear is noticeable as a softening to the high points and with some minor fire-scale visible on the body. There are some very minor scratches to the enamel plaque. There are some minor bruises to the surface.
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Auction: 20th Century Design, 1st Mar, 2025
A group of important pieces of Arts and Crafts Silver from the Lion Collection will be on offer in the sale. The Lion Collection was carefully curated by John L. Davis, and comprises fine pieces by some of the greatest makers and designers working in the first half of the 20th century such as Archibald Knox for Liberty, Henry George Murphy, Omar Ramsden and Alwyn Carr, along with rare examples by the Keswick School of Industrial Arts.
The sale will also offer part of the Dr Eileen Cobb Collection, including a colourful selection of decorative pottery cats including and example by Gallé and finely made 20th century furniture.
Another good offering of Mouseman furniture and furnishings includes two 1930s pieces made for Ronald and Lillian Crossley's Arts and Crafts house 'Tudor Croft' in Guisborough.
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