Description

A rare antique silver chalice of plain form, the stem and underbody having an unusual naturalistic design of acorns and foliage. Very thick gauge cast silver. Contains 865 ml. Weight 519 grams, 16.6 troy ounces. Height 17 cm. Diameter 9.2 cm. Marked on the bottom rim with Indian silver marks for Hamilton & Co, Calcutta. Circa 1860. A very similar style of goblet was made in England during the 1860’s by John Samuel Hunt and retailed by ‘Hunt & Roskell Late Storr & Mortimer’.

This excellent silver cup is in very good condition with no damage or restoration. The cast relief decoration still has good definition. Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item.

Maker: Hamilton & Co

Robert Hamilton (1772-1848) arrived in India and started work in Calcutta in 1808. He opened his Jewellery and Silversmithing shop at 5 Tank Square in 1808 under licence from the East Indian Company. In 1811 the business moved to 7 Court House Street, where it remained until 1973 when it finally closed. Needing capital to expand the business Robert Hamilton took two partners, Henry and James Glazbrook in 1811. Robert Hamilton’s interest ceased in 1817, and he dedicated the latter part of his life to collecting paintings, including works by Rubens, Velazquez and Holbein. During the subsequent years the business had many partners including: Henry and James Glazbrook, James Middleton, George Thoerpe, Charles Galliards, Alexander Rogers II, Henry Augustus Woolaston, William , Joseph, John and George Farrell Remfry, Robert John Dring and Thomas William Brookes. H&Co opened branches in other parts of India: Bombay (1833-36 and from 1868); Delhi and Simla (1865 onwards). Jackson, in his famous book on British hallmarks of the beginning of 20th century, gives a small amount of information about Hamilton & Co, citations are reported as personal communication rather than written documents. A more exhaustive description (at least covering the first half of XIX century) by Wynyard Wilkinson, is in his famous and very rare book (only 1,000 copies produced) devoted to British silversmiths operating in India. Hamilton & Co. is probably the best known and celebrated British silversmith operating in India (he is known as the Garrard of India). Among the main commissions received there is a vase for Rundell Bridge and Rundell in 1825. In 1844 Hamilton & Co. invents the Toffee pot, a coffee pot that can be also used as a teapot. His silver works are always elegant with minimal decoration (mainly plain design). Information courtesy of Giovanni Ciceri - www.argentinglesi.com

Customer satisfaction is our primary concern

All silverware on our website is checked thoroughly prior to offering it for sale and every product listing contains a condition report and details of the silver hallmarks.

All items offered on our website include:

• Free Shipping Worldwide
• Tracked and Insured
• 14 day no quibble money back guarantee
• We are accredited members of LAPADA and conform to their strict professional standards
• We dispatch 1-3 days after receiving cleared payments

More detailed information about deliveries, returns and how to pay is available in the Help section at the bottom of this page.