Egan Cork

[oel]

Hi,





By PM I received some questions about these Irish or Cork marks. The trophy could have been made in 1970 and the name Egan is well known in Cork:
Egan Jewellers & Silversmiths
The firm of Egan Jewellers and Silversmiths had a long and distinguished history in Cork. Founded in the 1820s on the Grand Parade, the firm moved to Saint Patrick's Street in 1876, where it was to remain for 110 years. The original shop on Saint Patrick's Street was destroyed during the burning of Cork in 1920 but reopened for business in an elegant new shop on the same site in 1925.
During the Civil War in 1922, communications between Dublin and Cork were disrupted and, for a short time, Egan Jewellers produced silver which was assayed by the firm itself. This 'Republican silver' is now extremely valuable. Some examples of this silver may be seen in Cork Public Museum.
As well as producing silver, the firm made altar cloths for churches in Ireland and the U.S.A. and also the touch flags which were used in inter-provincial rugby matches.
The firm closed on 11 October 1986. The premises are now occupied by Vero Moda, a ladies' fashion wear shop, and by Jack & Jones, which specialises in men's fashion wear.

Question are these marks copies of those so called “1922 Republican marks” indicating sterling silver?
We appreciate all information, thanks.


Oel.

[dognose]

Hi Oel,

I suspect that the item will be silver.

..............Following the resumption of normal conditions, the firm destroyed the punches. Other 'Cork' marks were used by the firm of Egan, usually in conjunction with, but occasionally instead of, Dublin hallmarks in the 1920's and 1930's, in order to mark their work as different to the standard work of the metropolis. Nowadays these items can sometimes be mistakenly described as 'Republican' silver which, of course, they are not.

'Cork Silver and Gold - Four Centuries of Craftmanship' by John R. Bowen & Conor O'Brien.

We can see from the above images that this marking was, on occasion, still used at a much later date. I suspect the reason for the above being that as the item appears to be a trophy, no doubt especially commissioned from Egans, and thus never offered for sale to the public, then strictly speaking assay and hallmarking would not be a legal requirement especially as there is no claim by the maker as to the metal content. I would be surprised if Egans would apply such marks to a plated item (although they did have at one time a plating workshop). 1970 was just pre Bunker Hunt and the price of silver very low at that time, so why use anything else?

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Trev.

[oel]

Hi Trev,

Excellent thank you very much. The engraving could have been added later and the trophy made pre 1970.

Best,

Oel.

[dognose]

Hi Oel,

That is of course quite possible. Do we know what is engraved around the sphere?

Trev.

[oel]

Hi Trev,

LOCH LEIN REPLICA engraved around sphere.

A Google search revealed should have been a pair of desk ornaments.

Of Irish Interest: A pair of desk ornaments
Dublin, 1949,
Each composed of an ebonised sphere applied with a band inscribed 'Replica Loch Lein', on a square pedestal engraved to each side with one of the four suites of cards, on an ebonised socle, height 15.5cm. (2)
FOOTNOTES
-These ornaments appear to relate to the legend of Loch Lein, County Kerry, in which the son of a King played cards with a giant on the banks of the loch, and used a ball of string to win his freedom and the heart of the giant's daughter.
Not mentioned to be made out of silver.



Oel.

[dognose]

Curious... But they do state 'Dublin 1949', this information must have come from either hallmark or engraving.

I wonder if Egans refurbished them for use as trophies?

Trev.

[scorpio]

As the symbols on the sides of the trophies show the four suits of cards, the trophies probably relate to a bridge tournament, the South of Ireland Open Bridge Congress, held every year In Killarney for which the Lough Lein Trophy is awarded to the Congress Teams event winners. It's been running for about 70 years. Presumably, these are replicas of the original Trophy to be held by the winners. Unfortunately, I can't trace a photo of the Lough Lein Trophy being awarded to anyone.
http://www.cbai.ie/competitions/KillarneyCongress.asp

Gordon

[scorpio]

I have to say I do love the auctioneer's description "These ornaments appear to relate to the legend of Loch Lein, County Kerry, in which the son of a King played cards with a giant on the banks of the loch, and used a ball of string to win his freedom and the heart of the giant's daughter.", but I suspect it's altogether far more mundane as per my previous post. :)

I know someone who may be able to help. She lives in Cork and would have played in the Killarney Bridge Congress many times.

[dognose]

Great sleuthing Gordon. It will be interesting to see what your friend has to say.

Trev.

[Argentum2]

Hi,





By PM I received some questions about these Irish or Cork marks. The trophy could have been made in 1970 and the name Egan is well known in Cork:
Egan Jewellers & Silversmiths
The firm of Egan Jewellers and Silversmiths had a long and distinguished history in Cork. Founded in the 1820s on the Grand Parade, the firm moved to Saint Patrick's Street in 1876, where it was to remain for 110 years. The original shop on Saint Patrick's Street was destroyed during the burning of Cork in 1920 but reopened for business in an elegant new shop on the same site in 1925.
During the Civil War in 1922, communications between Dublin and Cork were disrupted and, for a short time, Egan Jewellers produced silver which was assayed by the firm itself. This 'Republican silver' is now extremely valuable. Some examples of this silver may be seen in Cork Public Museum.
As well as producing silver, the firm made altar cloths for churches in Ireland and the U.S.A. and also the touch flags which were used in inter-provincial rugby matches.
The firm closed on 11 October 1986. The premises are now occupied by Vero Moda, a ladies' fashion wear shop, and by Jack & Jones, which specialises in men's fashion wear.

Question are these marks copies of those so called “1922 Republican marks” indicating sterling silver?
We appreciate all information, thanks.


Oel.

Egans used these marks on items of silver which they produced in their workshops but did not appear always to have sent to the assay office. I am aware of an item of ecclesiastical silver with the same marks made in 1940s/50s which was supplied/given to a church in Cork City.