When a piece of silver has a tale to tell (1)

If you ever thought an engraved coat of arms was just for decorative purposes, think again and read on!

Research often reveals a story otherwise unknown and easily overlooked. Take for instance this coat of arms depicted on a George III salver made in London in 1774.




The images to the left of this shield (actual heraldic right, or dexter) denote the arms of the husband, in this case Thomas Cholmondeley, and to the right when viewing (heraldic left, or sinister), the arms of the wife, Dorothy Cowper.
Below the escutcheon the Cholmondeley motto 'Cassis Tutissima Vertus' (Virtue is the safest helmet) is inscribed.

Thomas Campbell, MP for Cheshire married Dorothy in 1764, and the above coat of arms depicts the marshalling (combining) of two coats of arms pertaining to each family in one shield.

Who'd have thought that what was once a family piece of silver would be viewed on the world wide web almost 250 years later and still have a story of ownership to tell!

http://www.acsilver.co.uk/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=60&idproduct=1012

When is a diamond not a diamond?

It could be said that a diamond is not a diamond when it's an emerald - but that doesn't hold if one is talking about an emerald cut diamond.

An emerald cut diamond is either square or rectangular in shape.

It differs from a princess cut diamond in that the emerald cut has tapered corners and the pavillion (underside) has a faceted cut. A princess cut diamond has sharp corners.

The asscher cut diamond is nearly identical to the emerald cut except that it is square and has a typically greater total depth.

So next time you look at a rectangular diamond, look a little more closely and decide if the stone is a princess, asscher or an EMERALD cut!


http://www.acsilver.co.uk/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=537

Berthold Muller/Mueller

A Victorian Dutch

Sterling Silver

Sugar Box

Modelled In The Form Of A Partridge

SKU W1835

Berthold Muller/Mueller was an import firm based in London in the late 19th century, importing mainly Dutch and German silverware, especially decorative items manufactured by Ludwig Neresheimer of Hanau, Germany.

What is interesting to note is that Muller's high quality imports became very desirable, yet sales suffered due to the heavy tax imposed on the import of silver models. In order to avoid this tax, pieces were made in the form of pepper pots, or had either removable heads or movable parts allowing them to be recognised as scent bottles, toys or decanters.




A Pair of Cast Sterling Silver
Table Pheasants

SKU W1899

Items with the maker's mark of Berthold Muller are still very collectable pieces today.

http://www.acsilver.co.uk/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=107&idproduct=910