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Islamique Antiques
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Christopher Dresser Elkington 1889 Copper Chalice
Unique Persian influence copper chalice or cup by Elkington & Co for Shah of Persia visit to their factory in 1889
Attributed to Christopher Dresser
This is a rare opportunity to acquire a significant and important piece of history.
We are proud to offer this exquisite chalice or footed cup that is covered with Persian design and motifs and may at first appear to be of Persian origin but is actually manufactured in Birmingham England by the famous Elkington factory.
Now you may ask “Why would a Persian chalice be manufactured in England?” - and that is a very good question! The answer lies with some extensive research that we have undertaken which demonstrates that this stunning work of art was made for the Shah of Persia when he visited the factory in 1889.
Nasr ud Deen Shah (or Nasser al Deen), the Emperor of Persia was the first Shah to visit Europe. He visited Europe on several occasions and toured England visiting London, Manchester, Birmingham and Bradford between 1870-1890 mainly for improving trade relations.
We have also recently acquired a selection of silver plated flatware manufactured by James Dixon & Company that was shown to the Shah of Persia when he visited the factory in Sheffield in 1873.
Nasr ud Deen Shah visited the Elkington factory on August 3rd 1889 as shown in the image above taken from the London llustrated News. The page shown above depicts seven scenes from that visit and if you observe closely you can see the vignette numbered '5', bottom-centre of the page, in an oval shape, the text for that scene reads:
“Dipping a Two-Shilling piece at Messrs Elkington's”
If you observe even closer, you can see several items on display behind the dipping vat.
There is a large ewer at the back, with some type of tureen or bowl with a cover. Next to the tureen is the outline of a cup which looks remarkably similar to the one we are offering.
The cup itself has been hand made and is beaten copper with beautiful nastaliq calligraphy in three panels. Every inch is covered with intricate hand beaten patterns of geometric and vegetal type designs. The overall effect is stunning and the colour is beautiful.
The inscriptions are on three reserve panels separated by roundels and lozenge shaped panels containing floral designs. The foot is also decorated with four roundels and a band of floral designs. Even the underside of the bowl is covered in detailed patterns.
And if that did not convince you that this is a piece of the highest quality, the upper rim has been folded over and it has also been delightfully covered in elegant nastaliq calligraphy.
On the underside is an oval shaped medallion which reads:
“Elkingtons Science and Art Department” with the VR for Queen Victoria (“Victoria Regina”) under a crown with shamrock (representing Ireland), rose (representing England) and a thistle (representing Scotland). If you look very closely there is also a four digit inventory or register mark on the rim of the foot.
The same medallion is found on a large plate in the Victoria & Albert Museum (details available on request).
This shield/medallion showed that Elkington's held the Royal Warrant. Designs by Chistopher Dresser were fist registered by Elkington's in 1885.
This stunning work of art was produced at a time that the industrial revolution was at it's peak and traditional methods of manufacture were being drowned out by the machinery of mass production. As a result of this overbearing 'ugliness' a movement was born known as the “Aesthetic Movement”.
Apart from Dresser other great artists such as Pugin also worked for Elkington's. Dresser was inspired by Far Eastern and Middle Eastern designs. There is a very detailed and thorough article published about Christopher Dresser and how he utilised Islamic designs in his work. The article is entitled:
'We May Borrow What is Good From all Peoples' Christopher Dresser and Islamic Art
Published in:
The Journal of the Decorative Arts Society 1850 - the Present
No. 29, Christopher Dresser in Context: Papers of the Symposium held jointly by the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Decorative Arts Society 18 October 2004 (2005), pp. 42-52 (11 pages). This article is available to read online for free (registration is required – full details on request).
Dimensions
This exquisite work of art stands just 12cm in height with an upper diameter of 13.5cm.
It is overall in amazing condition with minor blemishes and wear & tear.
Please note overseas postage will be at cost.
SellerIslamique Antiques
View all stock from
Islamique Antiques
Private dealer
By appointment only
West Riding
West Yorkshire
Tel : 07837392006
Non UK callers : +44 7837392006
Attributed to Christopher Dresser
This is a rare opportunity to acquire a significant and important piece of history.
We are proud to offer this exquisite chalice or footed cup that is covered with Persian design and motifs and may at first appear to be of Persian origin but is actually manufactured in Birmingham England by the famous Elkington factory.
Now you may ask “Why would a Persian chalice be manufactured in England?” - and that is a very good question! The answer lies with some extensive research that we have undertaken which demonstrates that this stunning work of art was made for the Shah of Persia when he visited the factory in 1889.
Nasr ud Deen Shah (or Nasser al Deen), the Emperor of Persia was the first Shah to visit Europe. He visited Europe on several occasions and toured England visiting London, Manchester, Birmingham and Bradford between 1870-1890 mainly for improving trade relations.
We have also recently acquired a selection of silver plated flatware manufactured by James Dixon & Company that was shown to the Shah of Persia when he visited the factory in Sheffield in 1873.
Nasr ud Deen Shah visited the Elkington factory on August 3rd 1889 as shown in the image above taken from the London llustrated News. The page shown above depicts seven scenes from that visit and if you observe closely you can see the vignette numbered '5', bottom-centre of the page, in an oval shape, the text for that scene reads:
“Dipping a Two-Shilling piece at Messrs Elkington's”
If you observe even closer, you can see several items on display behind the dipping vat.
There is a large ewer at the back, with some type of tureen or bowl with a cover. Next to the tureen is the outline of a cup which looks remarkably similar to the one we are offering.
The cup itself has been hand made and is beaten copper with beautiful nastaliq calligraphy in three panels. Every inch is covered with intricate hand beaten patterns of geometric and vegetal type designs. The overall effect is stunning and the colour is beautiful.
The inscriptions are on three reserve panels separated by roundels and lozenge shaped panels containing floral designs. The foot is also decorated with four roundels and a band of floral designs. Even the underside of the bowl is covered in detailed patterns.
And if that did not convince you that this is a piece of the highest quality, the upper rim has been folded over and it has also been delightfully covered in elegant nastaliq calligraphy.
On the underside is an oval shaped medallion which reads:
“Elkingtons Science and Art Department” with the VR for Queen Victoria (“Victoria Regina”) under a crown with shamrock (representing Ireland), rose (representing England) and a thistle (representing Scotland). If you look very closely there is also a four digit inventory or register mark on the rim of the foot.
The same medallion is found on a large plate in the Victoria & Albert Museum (details available on request).
This shield/medallion showed that Elkington's held the Royal Warrant. Designs by Chistopher Dresser were fist registered by Elkington's in 1885.
This stunning work of art was produced at a time that the industrial revolution was at it's peak and traditional methods of manufacture were being drowned out by the machinery of mass production. As a result of this overbearing 'ugliness' a movement was born known as the “Aesthetic Movement”.
Apart from Dresser other great artists such as Pugin also worked for Elkington's. Dresser was inspired by Far Eastern and Middle Eastern designs. There is a very detailed and thorough article published about Christopher Dresser and how he utilised Islamic designs in his work. The article is entitled:
'We May Borrow What is Good From all Peoples' Christopher Dresser and Islamic Art
Published in:
The Journal of the Decorative Arts Society 1850 - the Present
No. 29, Christopher Dresser in Context: Papers of the Symposium held jointly by the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Decorative Arts Society 18 October 2004 (2005), pp. 42-52 (11 pages). This article is available to read online for free (registration is required – full details on request).
Dimensions
This exquisite work of art stands just 12cm in height with an upper diameter of 13.5cm.
It is overall in amazing condition with minor blemishes and wear & tear.
Please note overseas postage will be at cost.
Price The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 2/MAY/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
Date 1889
Aesthetic Period Antiques Material Copper
Origin English
Maker Christopher Dresser
Item code as830a034
Status Sold
£995.00 
$1242.26 
€1162.26 
$
€
Conversion rates as of 2/MAY/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
View all stock from
Islamique Antiques
Private dealerBy appointment only
West Riding
West Yorkshire
Tel : 07837392006
Non UK callers : +44 7837392006
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