Description

A rare early English silver monteith from the Queen Anne period. Large size. The decoration, with the ribbed body and decorative cartouches, is typical for this period. Particularly charming are the quaint lions mask side handles. The shaped monteith rim is fixed and was originally used to hold stem glasses, punch ladle and lemon squeezer. To the front and back there is a good hand engraved armorial for the Fitzgerald family. Underneath the bowl there is also a presentation inscription from the Fitzgerald family. Gilt interior.

Weight 1895 grams, 60.9 troy ounces.
Height 20cm. Diameter 29.5cm.
London 1706.
Maker Isaac Dighton.
Britannia standard silver (95.8% pure).

This exceptional silver punch bowl is still perfectly functional and can give as much pleasure today as it did over 300 years ago. Can also be used as a wine cooler or for flower display.

Marks. Stamped next to the handle with a full and clear set of English silver hallmarks.

Arms. The armorial bears the escutcheon of pretence over the FitzGerald saltire which is for an heiress of Gervis/Gerveis/Jervis (or possibly Icham/Ion). The FitzGerald family motto “Crom A Boo!” is one of the ancient battle cries of Ireland, meaning “Castle Croom Forever!” or “Croom Abu!” in Irish. A reference to the ancient Castle Croom in Limerick County Ireland.

*Britannia Standard. In 1696 silversmiths were forbidden to use the sterling standard for their wares, but had to use a new higher standard, 95.8 per cent. New hallmarks “the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia” and the lion’s head erased (torn off at the neck) replaced the lion passant and the leopard’s head crowned. This continued until the old standard of 92.5 per cent was restored in 1720.

Literature. The Monteith bowl is mentioned in Anthony Wood’s diary in 1683 however the first recorded examples do not appear until the following year (ref. Georgina E. Lee Monteith Bowls). Food at this time was heavily spiced and a cooling drink was needed such as wine or the newly fashionable punch. Hence the requirement for a large bowl which could be filled with either a drink or ice, and to which a shaped removable rim could be used to hold stem glasses, punch ladle and lemon squeezer.