Lot 465
EDINBURGH PHRENOLOGICAL INTEREST - AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY AMERICAN SILVER TWO HANDLED PRESENTATION VASE
JAMES THOMSON, NEW YORK CIRCA 1839
Scottish Silver & Applied Arts
Auction: 15 August 2018 at 11:00 BST
Description
marked to the underside four times 'Jas Thomson', the rising bold leaf clasped handles to a baluster vase shaped body, decorated with leaf framed cartouches framing profiles of gentlemen related to The Phrenological Society, central cartouche engraved inscription to George Combe from students at lectures in New York 1839 and praising his knowledge, leaf clasped stem to a spreading foot with framed vignettes of various animals and birds, further engraved round the foot rim stating Thomson awarded a medal from the American Institute for the quality of workmanship in the vase, contained in the original fitted mahogany box, hinged lid, brass carry handles, together with the original hand written list of subscribers
Dimensions
41.5cm high including stand, 47oz
Footnote
Note:
George Combe born and named after his father in Edinburgh. After attending the High School of Edinburgh and the University of Edinburgh, Combe entered the legal profession in 1804, and in 1812 he began his own practice. The Combe family lived together at 25 Northumberland Street in the New Town until at least 1833. He founded the Edinburgh Phrenological Society in 1820 and was the author of the highly influential The Constitution of Man (1828). The Edinburgh Society was the first and foremost phrenological grouping in Great Britain; more than forty phrenological societies followed in other parts of the British Isles. The Society's influence was greatest over the next two decades but declined in the 1840s; the final meeting was recorded in 1870. At the home of the Phrenology museum in Chamber's Street in Edinburgh there are four heads at the top of the windows, those of Combe, and other leading members, Franz Joseph Gall and Johann Gaspar Spurzheim; these appear to be the same as the ones on the piece offered here for sale.
James Thomson, silversmith: First recorded in New York in 1834 at 129 William Street NY and later in Brooklyn. He followed his father William in the trade and James' brother, also a silversmith, took control in 1840 and then sold to Zalmon Bostwick around 1845. Thomson was very well respected in the New York trade and made several award-winning pieces including the lot offered here which was awarded a gold medal from the American Institute for Superior Workmanship. One other piece by Thomson which was also a medal winner was the McKeon vase designed by Sculptor Robert Ball Hughes in 1837. Strong similarities can be seen in the decorative work and also the engraving on this vase and the Combe vase.