1st Mar, 2025 9:30 GMT/BST
20th Century Design
258
Henry George Murphy (1884-1939): An Art Deco Silver Beaker, London, 1938, tapering cylindrical and on spreading foot, engraved with styled foliage, hallmarked London, 1938, maker's mark HGM, further stamped with Falcon Studio mark,
95mm high, 85mm diameter, 5oz 3dwt, 161gr
Provenance:
Woolley and Wallis, Salisbury, 7 April 2009, lot 721, where purchased by the present owner.
The Lion Collection.
Paul Atterbury and John Benjamin describe the years after 1932 as 'a highly productive period [for Murphy]' and '... [a] period defined by a significant change in style, particularly in the field of silversmithing, with a new emphasis on line engraving and the modernist and geometric forms of Art Deco...' (P. Atterbury and J. Benjamin, Arts and Crafts to Art Deco The Jewellery and Silver of H. G. Murphy, Woodbridge, 2005, p. 30), which is certainly an apt description of the present beaker. It has seemingly not been determined who was responsible for the engraving on these types of objects but George Taylor Friend, an accomplished engraver, was certainly known to not only be a friend of Murphy but also to have undertaken engraving work for him.
Estimated at £2,500 - £3,500
Fully marked underneath including with Falcon studios mark. The marks are clear. There is some overall surface scratching and wear, consistent with age and use.
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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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Thursday 27th - Friday 28th February 10am-4pm and morning of the sale from 8am
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