Condiment vase and cover
George III condiment vase and cover

Condiment vases usually came in threes: containing pepper, spices and mustard. This was part of such a set, made for Charles Birch of Woodford in Essex. An identical set of condiment vases was ordered from the Courtauld workshop for the new dining room at Kedleston Hall, one of Robert Adam’s grandest country house interiors. The vase’s shape is inspired by a type of Ancient Greek ceramic marriage vase, examples of which were published at the time. The engraved scene showing warriors in a barren landscape has the spare lines, shading and classical borders of Greek vase painting, which it consciously emulates. Its subject matter appears to be taken from British history.

A Woman Silversmith

Louisa Perina Courtauld (1729–1807) ran the silver business upon her husband Samuel’s death in 1765. After a couple of years on her own, she went into partnership with George Cowles, her late husband’s former apprentice. In 1780, Louisa Courtauld sold the business and the family turned to silk weaving, eventually founding the textile company Courtaulds Ltd. Its chairman in the 1920s was Samuel Courtauld, whose collection of Impressionist paintings is displayed in the Great Room on the floor above.

Information not yet known or updated

A Century of Silver - The Courtauld Family of Silversmiths, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 2003 / 2013

Inscription: inscription : engraved : on one of the warrior's shields : coat of arms of Charles Birch (died 1780) of Woodford, Essex, and his wife Sarah Creed :

Inscription: inscription : engraved : on one of the warrior's shields : crest of above :