Hallmarks -- England; Plate -- Collectors and collecting; Sheffield plate
Two other hot water jugs are illustrated (p. 229) each typifying forms
into which the metal worker converted his sheet silver. That on the
left is severe in form. It represents the spirit of classicism cold and
unsatisfying. The absence of the curve in the body and the straight
lines at the shoulder might have proved, had Hogarth seen it, some of
his points as to the line of beauty. The plane surfaces are too
few to be attractive, to increase their number would be to depart
from a simplicity of outline at which the artist-designer has aimed.
The elongated handle striking a sharp acute angle adjacent to the
edge of the broad facetted body offers a inharmonious note. The space
between the handle and the body is not a pleasing space to the eye.
In technique the jug is perfect, as perfect as the silversmiths could
fashion it, and as representative a replica as Sheffield could turn
out. The eye wanders to the upper portion and finds restfulness, and it
is this upper portion which makes the jug lovable and beautiful.
Its fellow on the same page affects a new form. Its handle carries one
back to the porringer of Stuart days with its out-turned terminal. The
body swells with beautiful symmetrical curves. Its plain cold effect is
relieved by the broken flutings carried part of the way up. The spout
again is reminiscent of the earlier forms in the flagon of bye-gone
days. The cover has a delightful pineapple ornament of sufficient size
to give character to the piece. Although composite in its conception it
takes its place on a plane indubitably its own.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account