Tableware presented to Isambard Kingdom Brunel
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Object number2013.01009.05
TitleTableware presented to Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Creator Benjamin Smith (creator)
DescriptionA large silver-gilt dessert stand consisting of a highly decorated base with three legs and a large shallow bowl mounted on the base. The base is shaped out of a surge of mounting water with a breaking wave at the top. The legs form a flat surface and on each of the three legs a miniature statue of a nude boy is mounted.
The first boy is standing upright and he is taking a step forward with his right leg while holding aloft a bowl in one hand and a bunch of grapes in the other. The second boy is sitting down on a small mount of grass and flowers. He is also holding aloft some fruits, probably grapes. The third boy is kneeling behind a basket filled with fruit, supporting himself with a tall and slender staff.
The bowl is polished with only limited decoration. It is round and shallow, resembling a pond. In the middle of the bowl is a large flower, and the edges of the bowl look like water splashing out over the edges of the pool.
This is part of a collection of silverware consisting of three silver-gilt dessert stands, two silver-gilt sideboard dishes, and a set of six silver-gilt salt-cellars and six silver-gilt spoons. These items were presented to Isambard Kingdom Brunel at the Albion Tavern on 17 January 1845 by the Great Western Railway Company and numerous subscribers.
Production date 1844 - 1844
Production period19th century
Object namedessert stand
Object categorysilverware
Materialsilver
Techniquecrafted
Dimensions
- total height: 300 mm
bowl diameter: 350 mm
stand width: 320 mm
Credit lineClive Richards Brunel Collection – By Courtesy of the Trustees of the ss Great Britain Trust and the Brunel Institute.