The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art Object

The Usefulness of Magnificence: Silver and the English Court

Ellenor M. Alcorn, Associate Curator, Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, discusses how in England, as in Europe, a rich display of silver was essential to the expression of power. Discover how English sovereigns from Elizabeth I to George III and their courtiers competed culturally on the international stage, commissioning silver and other luxury goods to establish their stature. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition British Silver: The Wealth of a Nation, on view May 15, 2012–January 20, 2013.

Recorded October 12, 2012

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Ewer

Abraham Portal (British, active ca. 1747–died 1809)

Date:: 1755/56
Culture:: British, London
Medium:: Silver gilt
Dimensions:: Overall (confirmed): 13/16 x 23 1/8 x 18 1/4 in., 150 oz. 15 dwt. (2.1 x 58.7 x 46.4 cm, 4689g)
Classification:: Metalwork
Credit Line:: Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1968
Accession Number:: 68.141.316

This artwork is not on display

Description

The royal badge engraved on the rim of the basin indicates the set was made for the ambassador, possibly Sir Charles Hanbury Williams, appointed ambassador to Saint Petersburg in 1756. Portal was apprenticed to Paul de Lamerie (1740-49) and continued to use the spare Rococo style of Lamerie's later work.
Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Marking: [1] AP (Grimwade 73) on the underside of the foot
Provenance

Queen Mary of Teck, (wife of King George V of England, r. 1910–1936) ; H.R.H. Princess Mary of England, "The Princess Royal", Countess of Harewood (until 1966; her sale, Christie's, July 6, 1966, no. 115) ; [ S. J. Phillips (until 1967; to Irwin Untermyer, September 28, 1967) ] ; Irwin Untermyer (1967–68; to MMA)
See also
Who
Abraham Portal (2)
What
Metal (59,619)

Vessels (21,925)

Metalwork (14,693)

Silver (14,061)

Gilt (9,068)

Ewers (562)
Where
Europe (150,115)

United Kingdom (25,745)

England (9,106)

London (2,008)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (66,675)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,264)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Great Britain and Ireland, 1600–1800 A.D.
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Abraham Portal (British, active ca. 1747–died 1809)

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