Description
the bowl decorated with cast foliate and anthemion bands, raised on applied tripod feet with loop handles, unmarked
Dimensions
7.5cm high
Footnote
Literature: Morley, Christopher 'Dresser's Decorative Designs' 2010, p. 201, p. 213, pl. 414 illus.
Halen, Widar 'Christopher Dresser: a pioneer of Modern Design', Phaidon 1990, p. 25 pl. 14 illus., pp. 145-6
Note: This bowl demonstrates the familiar characteristics of Dresser's famous electroplated conical bowl produced for Elkingtons in circa 1885. Dresser had however been associated with the firm since 1865 supplying designs and advising the firm on casting and decorating techniques and historical ornament. In his review of the Paris Exhibition of 1867 Dresser much admired the Japanese bronze teapots that he found there. He commented that "Bronze through its very nature cannot become a cheap material; yet it might be used by us more largely than it is, and might with much advantage replace silver to a great extent. ...if judiciously managed, the bronze service would be more beautiful than any burnished silver service could be" Dresser's sketchbooks contain drawings of "sugar basins of bronze" with beads on the sides and angular legs and that "fulfil his demand for steadiness and functionalism". Although he states in 1867 that he has "been unable to induce even one manufacturer to prepare a trial set" it seems likely that in his advisory capacity at Elkingtons he was later able to have induced them to produce this vessel, perhaps part of a tea set, albeit in very limited or trial quantities.