Vinaigrette
Joseph Taylor had premises in Birmingham and a show room in London. His trade card described him as a “Working Gold & Silversmith, Jeweller, Tortoiseshell & Ivory Box, Gilt and General Toy Manufacturer.”
Besides the satchel-shaped vinaigrette (1983.575.45) and snuffbox (1983.575.3) made by Taylor, The Met also has this unusual vinaigrette in the form of a book made by his brother John and brother-in-law John Perry who took over the business upon Joseph Taylor’s death in 1827.
Engine-turned engraving decorates the front and back while the spine is ribbed. The blank reserve would have allowed for the engraving of a name or initials. The hinged gilded grille has pierced and engraved floral scrolls and a flowerhead. The grille is very similar to that on 1983.575.40 made by a different silversmith. This might suggest some type of factory or mass production of elements or the use of a pattern book.
A vinaigrette was intended to hold a tiny sponge dipped in aromatic vinegar. Its interior Is gilded to protect the silver from oxidation caused by the acidity of the vinegar. A hinged and decoratively pierced inner lid or grille kept the sponge in place while its perforations allowed the odor to waft through. A whiff of the vinegar might revive someone from a fainting spell. Such vinaigrettes were worn around the neck, on a chatelaine suspended from the waist, or carried in a pocket.
Besides the satchel-shaped vinaigrette (1983.575.45) and snuffbox (1983.575.3) made by Taylor, The Met also has this unusual vinaigrette in the form of a book made by his brother John and brother-in-law John Perry who took over the business upon Joseph Taylor’s death in 1827.
Engine-turned engraving decorates the front and back while the spine is ribbed. The blank reserve would have allowed for the engraving of a name or initials. The hinged gilded grille has pierced and engraved floral scrolls and a flowerhead. The grille is very similar to that on 1983.575.40 made by a different silversmith. This might suggest some type of factory or mass production of elements or the use of a pattern book.
A vinaigrette was intended to hold a tiny sponge dipped in aromatic vinegar. Its interior Is gilded to protect the silver from oxidation caused by the acidity of the vinegar. A hinged and decoratively pierced inner lid or grille kept the sponge in place while its perforations allowed the odor to waft through. A whiff of the vinegar might revive someone from a fainting spell. Such vinaigrettes were worn around the neck, on a chatelaine suspended from the waist, or carried in a pocket.
Artwork Details
- Title: Vinaigrette
- Maker: Taylor & Perry
- Date: 1834
- Culture: British, Birmingham
- Medium: Silver
- Dimensions: Length: 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork-Silver
- Credit Line: Gift of Herbert K. Reis, in memory of Rose-Frances K. Reis (Mrs. Ralph A. Reis), 1983
- Object Number: 1983.575.2
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
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