S3: Rose-water dish
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© The Holburne Museum of Art, Bath
| Museum number | S3 |
| Title | Rose-water dish |
| Object type | In category: Metalwork » Dish |
| Date | Between 1616 and 1617 |
| People |
Unknown - Gold/silversmith(s) Sussex, Augustus, Duke of (1774-1843) - Previous owner(s) York, Frederick Duke of (1763-1827 - Previous owner(s) |
| Place of origin | Europe » Northern Europe » British Isles » Great Britain » England » London |
| Condition |
Good |
| Dimensions |
54.9 cm diameter whole 5.0 cm height whole |
| Weight |
130.0 ounces whole |
| Materials & techniques |
In category:
Metal
»
Silver-gilt
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| Description | Hexafoil dish with egg and dart border. The flat rim is decorated with embossed foliate scrolls. The interior slopes to the centre and is divided into six pleated panels with chased scrolls and draped festooning; one panel is engraved with the initials CR within a Greek-key border surmounted by a crown; one panel is engraved with the initial F within a Garter bearing motto of the Order of the Garter and surmounted by a royal ducal coronet. Plain central boss surrounded by embossed foliate scrolls. | ||||||||||||
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Style |
Mannerist
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| Notes | This superb Mannerist dish is one of the most important early pieces of silver acquired by Sir William Holburne. It was almost certainly the 'NOBLE SILVER GILT ROSE WATER DISH. In the centre, a chasing representing the Family of Darius before Alexander, and on the border, masks and scrolls' in the collection of John Rushout, 2nd Baron Northwick that was sold in 1859 (L115). Prior to this the dish had belonged to various members of the Royal Family: it bears the ciphers of Queen Charlotte (1744-1818) and her son Frederick, Duke of York. In 1843, it was included in the sale of the collection of another of Queen Charlotte's sons Adolphus, Duke of Sussex (L114b). All three were enthusiastic collectors of antique silver in the early nineteenth century. Sir William Holburne's inventories and the catalogues to the 1862 and 1868 exhibitions state that the dish had been a birthday gift from Queen Charlotte to her son the Duke of York (L103, L626). This, however, is not certain. It is known that following the death of the Duke, many pieces from his collection were acquired by his brother the Duke of Sussex. The central cast plaque depicting the family of Darius before Alexander was probably added during the early nineteenth century; it has since been removed and is displayed separately (S3.1). Originally the rosewater dish served a purpose at banquets, when it was filled with scented water from a matching ewer and carried around among the guests for them to wash their fingers. As manners became more refined, and forks more common, the dish lost its function, and came to be considered more ornamental than useful.
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| Literature |
A. Butcher and E. J. C. Smith, A Catalogue of Silver at the Holburne Museum, Bath, 1996, p.2, no.3 C. Jackson, Silver and Gold Marks of England, 1983 ed., p.110;
P. Bishop, Holburne Museum of Art , Souvenir Guidebook, 1999, p.40 |
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| Muse theme | The Art of Collecting |
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| Muse chapter |
The History of the Holburne Collection » Sir William Holburne and his Collection » Building the Collection
The History of the Holburne Collection » Sir William Holburne and his Collection » Recognition as a Collector The History of the Holburne Collection » The Collection » Silver |
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| Gallery Labels |
ROSEWATER BASIN
London, 1616 Silver with later gilding. One panel engraved with the crown, motto of the Order of the Garter and initial CR for Queen Charlotte, a second panel engraved with the initial and coronet of Frederick, Duke of York. Purchased by Sir William Holburne at the Duke of Sussex's, Christies, 23rdJune 1843 at a cost of £60.0.0.Exhibited at South Kensington, 1862 (5779) and Leeds 1868 (1225) S 3 (Unknown) Rosewater basin London, 1616 Silver with later gilding. T his rare and superb example of the international Mannerist style was one of Sir William Holburne's most important pieces of historic plate. He acquired it at the sale of the Duke of Sussex's collection in 1843 at a cost of £60.4s.9d. It is engraved with the crown and initials CR for Queen Charlotte, Consort of George III, who is believed to have given the dish to the Duke, her sixth son. Museum number: S 3 (Unknown) |
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| Method of acquisition | Bequest | ||||||||||||
| Provenance | Queen Charlotte (1744-1818); Frederick, Duke of York (1763-1827); Augustus, Duke of Sussex (1773-1843); his sale, Christie and Manson, London, 23 June 1843, lot 301 (£60 4. 9d.); ? John Rushout, 2nd Baron Northwick (1769-1859); ?his sale, Phillips, Thirlestaine House, Cheltenham, 17 August 1859, lot 1385 (£78 15s.); Sir T. W. Holburne (1793-1874); by whom bequeathed to Mary Anne Barbara Holburne (1802-1882); by whom bequeathed to the Museum | ||||||||||||
| Exhibition history |
Title of exhibition: Special Exhibition of Works of Art Title of exhibition: National Exhibition of Works of Art Title of exhibition: Centenary Exhibition of Silver in the Holburne Collection Title of exhibition: The Beauties of Bath: the Holburne Museum Revealed Title of exhibition: Town House Treasures: Sir Thomas William Holburne of Bath |
