This beautifully balanced cream boat is a fine example of Cork Rococo repoussé silver created during the Irish high Rococo Period of the 1760s and likely dates to between 1765 and 1770. The silversmith is Stephen Walsh who was apprenticed to William Bennett in 1742 and became a freeman in 1749. He was Master of the Cork Goldsmiths Company in 1768. Moving to Dublin in 1780, his petition to the Dublin Goldsmiths Company for Freedom was rejected in 1781.
The maker's mark and STERLING stamps are underneath the body. Although a bit worn, they are easily decipherable. The maker's mark is that shown by Bennett and not the one with SW above WALSH shown in the Irish Provincial section on this website and in Cork Silver and Gold. Measurements are 17cm in length, 7.4cm in width and 5.56 oz. troy in weight
The cream boat stands on three shell knuckled hoof feet. The repoussé decoration is contemporary to its making and includes the usual scrolls, foliage, stylised flowers and fish scales and a wonderful S-shaped handle with entwined sea serpent and double-scrolled end where it meets the top of the body. Looks like the handle was first cast then the serpent applied to it.
At the front under the spout is a repoussé scrolled cartouche with an unusual crest. This is the Calvary Cross on three steps, which, in descending order, represent Faith, based upon Hope, based upon Love. An alternative meaning suggests the steps represent the mount at Calvary. The cross here has vertical lines running down the arms and stipe as seen in the photograph below. This crest puzzles me as the Calvary Cross, while usually found in Coats of Arms, seems rare as a crest and I cannot trace this Calvary Cross with vertical lines to any Irish family or indeed any family. Could it be that this cream boat was made for a religious order as the Cross Calvary is a Christian cross but then why would it feature a serpent!
If anyone well versed in heraldry could comment on the use of the Calvary Cross with vertical lines as seen here as a crest, I would be very grateful. Thanks.
