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| Edward Farrell Cast Silver Figural Sugar Tongs -Cherub or Cupid with Arrow
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Reference: S11575
Period: George IV
Year: 1823
Silversmith: Edward Farrell
Place: London
Price: $ 480.00
Weight: 95 grams
Dimensions: 15 cm
Condition: Old repair to bow, with a visible silver solder mark to the cartouche, and some loss of detail, we suspect the 2 arms have been separated and re-attached at some stage. This repair has been well executed, the tongs work perfectly well.
Description: A rare pair of ornate cast silver sugar tongs, made in London 1823 by Edward Farrell, who was one of the most celebrated silversmiths of the early 19th century, and whose work is now found in museums all over the world. The tongs feature a well modelled cherub, naked except for a loincloth, holding an arrow above his head and a bow in his other hand, the cherub is 5 cm tall. We have considered if it could be Cupid, but no wings are present. The cherub is surrounded by flowers, foliage and scrolls, and the tongs have shell bowls. The cherub is repeated on both arms. The bow has a blank cartouche. The tongs are clearly hallmarked on both bowls, London 1823 on one bowl and makers mark E.F in shaped punch (Grimwade 585). Grimwade (page 506) describes Farrell silver as "some of the most unusual productions of the Regency period, generally conceived in a kind of revival rococo style. He had a large output of heavy tea services decorated with Dutch peasant scenes in the style of Teniers, and he also produced large ornamental plate of which perhaps the most remarkable is the Hercules candelabrum, made for the Duke of York in 1822. Farrell worked closely "with Kensington Lewis, a flamboyant entrepreneur and retailer, who had the patronage of the Duke of York, his most important client" - Timothy Schroder, Gilbert Collection of Gold & Silver, page 437. Lewis's fortunes declined after the death of the Duke in 1827, and ended in relative poverty during his final years. The partnership "was fruitful as both men were enthusiastic about the imaginative re-working of old and antique plate" - Silver Studies Vol. 28, 2012, page 109. Today Farrell's silver can be seen in the Metropolitan Museum, V&A museum, Harvard Arts museum and museum of Fine Arts Boston. It is interesting to note that Farrell is not recorded as a maker of tongs in the book "Georgian Silver Sugar Tongs" by Graham Hodges, so we assume tongs by him are rare. We have only noted 1 other set, dated 1839 so much later, also figural but featuring a Chinaman with bird, that can be seen on the website www.steppeshillfarmantiques.com, a dealer we highly recommend. Please note our condition report, these tongs have an old repair to the bow.
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