Great Pieces of Silver - VI
Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 6:34 pm
THE HIGH ROCK CUP
Maker: The Gorham Mfg. Co.
THE trophy illustrated on the front page is a unique specimen of silversmithing, as the ornamental portion is a combination of repousee chasing and etching. The cup has just been finished by the Gorham Mfg. Co., New York, as a State tennis championship prize for the Saratoga Athletic Association, and was won by F. H. Hovey, on July 16, 1891.
Taken in its entirety, the piece is thoroughly American in treatment. It stands twenty inches in height, the general outline being graceful and delicate. In designing the piece, two objects have apparently been in view; to combine the emblems of the sport with the sentimental features of the history of locality where Saratoga now stands ; and then to treat these subjects in such manner that each detail would be thoroughly consistent with the rest. These objects have been attained with flattering results. In the center of the obverse side is a view depicting a group of Indians at the High Rock Spring, with the child leaning on the mound quaffing the water as it falls. The picture is an accurate reproducing of Darling's well known illustration in Cooper's Last of the Mohicans. The figures are in bas-relief, and so accurately chased that the details are faithful, while the postures are natural. Altogether realism marks the scene, which is enhanced by the details of the background.
Seen in the distance as in a wood is a wigwam with an Indian over the camp fire. These details are etched; in fact the foreground in repousee as it were shades off into the background of etching, the transition being effective and natural. There is a multiplicity of details in the background as emblems of tennis, rackets, etc., besides wood and foliage, but they all combine consistently and form one harmonious whole. In the top portion of the obverse side of the body is a furling ribbon containing the words, Saratoga Athletic Association, while below is another ribbon bearing the words Championship Trophy.
The upper border is of Indian character, while the neck of the piece is a beautiful combination of pine cones and needles, and an effective crown of Indian war plumes tops the whole. The arms are cast oxidized representations of pine branches. Along the base is a pretty combination of oak and laurel leaves. The idea of the design is continued around the cup. The reverse side is left entirely plain for the inscription, which is exquisitely lettered: High Rock Cup, Lawn Tennis Championship, State of New York, won by Frederick Howard Hovey, July 16, 1891.
The plain surfaces are stone-finished. They are perfectly smooth though not burnished, and are almost the color of steel. The chased parts are oxidized. Altogether this piece of silversmithing is worthy of much laudation and will serve to maintain the high reputation which the manufacturers possess for art in silversmithing.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - Volume 23 - Jewelers' Circular Pub. Co. - 1891
Trev.
Maker: The Gorham Mfg. Co.
THE trophy illustrated on the front page is a unique specimen of silversmithing, as the ornamental portion is a combination of repousee chasing and etching. The cup has just been finished by the Gorham Mfg. Co., New York, as a State tennis championship prize for the Saratoga Athletic Association, and was won by F. H. Hovey, on July 16, 1891.
Taken in its entirety, the piece is thoroughly American in treatment. It stands twenty inches in height, the general outline being graceful and delicate. In designing the piece, two objects have apparently been in view; to combine the emblems of the sport with the sentimental features of the history of locality where Saratoga now stands ; and then to treat these subjects in such manner that each detail would be thoroughly consistent with the rest. These objects have been attained with flattering results. In the center of the obverse side is a view depicting a group of Indians at the High Rock Spring, with the child leaning on the mound quaffing the water as it falls. The picture is an accurate reproducing of Darling's well known illustration in Cooper's Last of the Mohicans. The figures are in bas-relief, and so accurately chased that the details are faithful, while the postures are natural. Altogether realism marks the scene, which is enhanced by the details of the background.
Seen in the distance as in a wood is a wigwam with an Indian over the camp fire. These details are etched; in fact the foreground in repousee as it were shades off into the background of etching, the transition being effective and natural. There is a multiplicity of details in the background as emblems of tennis, rackets, etc., besides wood and foliage, but they all combine consistently and form one harmonious whole. In the top portion of the obverse side of the body is a furling ribbon containing the words, Saratoga Athletic Association, while below is another ribbon bearing the words Championship Trophy.
The upper border is of Indian character, while the neck of the piece is a beautiful combination of pine cones and needles, and an effective crown of Indian war plumes tops the whole. The arms are cast oxidized representations of pine branches. Along the base is a pretty combination of oak and laurel leaves. The idea of the design is continued around the cup. The reverse side is left entirely plain for the inscription, which is exquisitely lettered: High Rock Cup, Lawn Tennis Championship, State of New York, won by Frederick Howard Hovey, July 16, 1891.
The plain surfaces are stone-finished. They are perfectly smooth though not burnished, and are almost the color of steel. The chased parts are oxidized. Altogether this piece of silversmithing is worthy of much laudation and will serve to maintain the high reputation which the manufacturers possess for art in silversmithing.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - Volume 23 - Jewelers' Circular Pub. Co. - 1891
Trev.