I gave this lovely bell to myself in honor of my daughter’s birthday. And my daughter’s role in its appearance is very significant – she helped me order it.
Bell “Cherub”
“1889 Elkington & Co Victorian Silver Plated Table, Cellini pattern – Cherub.” Collection of Irina Lapina
Bell “Cherub”. Left view
Bell “Cherub”. Rear view
Bell “Cherub”. Right view
What can I say? I’m delighted. Such a bell in the collection is a solid acquisition. The time of its creation is also impressive – 1889. Victorian era! And the manufacturing company is Elkington & Co from Birmingham, one of the most famous companies in Britain for the production of silver products.
The handle of the bell is in the shape of a cherub. This tradition dates back to the Renaissance, when it was popular to depict cherubs as winged babies. The images on the skirt are also made in the style of that era. They copy mascarons, relief images of human and animal figures, and the ornate ornament of the famous Renaissance bells of Benvenuto Cellini that have survived to this day.
The Elkington & Co. mark is clearly visible on the inside of the skirt. Number 3100. And year of manufacture 1889.
And more information from the seller, I did not measure and weigh:
Height: approximately 5.5 inches (13.75 cm)
Diameter of Base: 3 inches (7.5 cm)
No monograms or initials.
Weight: 348 grams. A Heavy Bell.
Materials: Silverplate
Elkington & Co. – under this brand in the Victorian and later Edwardian eras, magnificent products made of silver and silver-plated were produced: cutlery, tea sets, bowls, teapots, trays, table decorations, salad bowls, salt and pepper shakers, sets for fish, for eggs, snuff boxes, and much more. Sports cups, for example. Rarely – silver elegant jewelry for ladies.
It is curious that silver ringing literally calmed babies down – it was good form to give a rattle with bells made of noble metal for baptism.
Elkington & Co was founded in 1830 (date to be confirmed) by brothers George and Henry Elkington. Some of the most famous designers such as Auguste-Adolphe Willims, Leonard Morel-Laday and Christopher Dresser worked with the company.
In 1838, the brothers achieved success when they patented and perfected electroplating technology, which involved applying a thin layer of metal to the surface of a workpiece using an electric current.
In 1842, the company received financial support from Joshua Mason, and became known as Elkington, Mason & Co. in the period from 1842 to 1861. This was a time of great success for her, her products were especially famous at the World Exhibition in London in 1851. But in 1861 the company regained its original name.
Elkington & Co have always been suppliers to the Royal Household. Silverware adorned the tables of Queen Victoria, Kings Edward VI, George V and George VI. The Elkington & Co logo appeared on the cutlery of the infamous Titanic and other White Star Line ships.
Today, the work of Elkington & Co can be seen in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg and other major museums around the world.
It is noteworthy that a large number of exhibits came to Russia thanks to dynastic ties between the monarchs. Being a passionate Anglophile, Nicholas I amassed an impressive collection of English silver, which includes cutlery, household items, and sports trophies.
An interesting detail. Elkington & Co worked successfully with Benjamin Schlick, a Danish mechanic and architect who moved to England in the mid-19th century. The master created designs and castings for jewelers based on antiquity and the Renaissance.
There is information that the architect was responsible for the reception of the Russian Emperor Nicholas I, who visited the enterprise in 1844. Subsequently, Schlick presented several items as a gift to Princess Maria Alexandrovna.
After existing for a century, the company came under the control of British Silverware under the name “British Silverware Ltd.”, maintaining production to this day.
I was in Birmingham, admiring the modern products of silversmiths. Unfortunately, we didn’t go to the jewelry museum (we were nearby!) due to lack of time. And now I miss the information that I could have received in the silver department at the Victoria and Albert Museum, where I was a frequent visitor. I just didn’t have this wonderful bell then!
I will be glad to receive any comments and additions.
Irina Lapina, Montreal, 2024
Photos of the bell by Irina Lapina
