Reference: S1831
Period: William IV
Year: Circa 1835
Silversmith: Edward, Edward Jn, John & William Barnard
Place: London
Price: $ 340.00
Weight: 15 grams
Dimensions: 4.5 cm
Condition: Excellent, original chain intact.
Description: An interesting antique cast silver wine label, pierced for SHERRY, made by the Barnard family of silversmiths. This design is called the "Five Barred Gate", the 5 bars are surrounded by grapes, vines and tendrils. This label is of particular interest as it is upside-down, the central vine leaf is usually on top, here it is underneath. The label is quite balanced so it is not easy to see it is upside-down, so an easy mistake for the engraver who did the piercing and applied the chain to make. The five barred gate design was first produced circa 1820 by Emes & Barnard, it remained popular for 30 years, and was copied by a number of other silversmiths, including Reily & Storer (Wine Labels 1730-2003, page 35, Fig 37, where a Port label is displayed the correct way up, also page 156, F Champagne). A number of other examples, all the correct way up, can be seen on the Steppes Hill website (www.steppeshillfarmantiques.com), all by the Barnards, dating between 1823 and 1830. Another version of this label is depicted in the book "The Book of the Wine Label" by Penzer, plate 5 page 149, this is a Madeira label, and as can be seen is also upside-down! A Five Barred gate label also formed part of the Harvey's Wine Museum collection, auctioned by Bonhams in 2003, lot 441, pierced Claret, by Charles Rawlings 1827, the correct way up. The hallmarks are struck on the back of the label, they have been disturbed by the piercing of SHERRY. The makers mark is partially visible, but sufficient for clear identification, the oval duty mark is clear, but the other marks are obscured by the piercing. We think the date letter is u for 1835, the base of the u is just visible. Edward Barnard registered this makers mark (Grimwade mark 575) with his 3 sons Edward junior, John and William in 1829, they bought out the previous partners Henry Chawner and Rebecca Emes for GBP 15421 (Over 1 million pounds in today's money) - The House of Barnard, John Fallon, Silver Society Journal 25, 2009, page 52.
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