Black Fern sterling silver centerpiece by Frank Gardy, circa 1890s. A ewer and goblets in a similar style was presented by the staff of Canterbury Railways to John Marsham, the General Manager, on his retirement in April 1874. New Zealand dust jacket. Rewa rewa and burr totara are among the native New Zealand timbers used in the inlaid presentation case. The ewer has four jade cartouches, and the set is considered one of the finest examples of early Net Zealand-made silver.
Engraving is a New Zealand colonial scene with two wakas.
The piece reflects both the colonial and Victorian influences, as well as a hint of an Australian emu-egg in the shaping. Twentieth Century New Zealand has four jade cartouches, and was presented to John Marsham with four plain goblets on his retirement from Canterbury Railways. Te Papa collection. Te Papa collection. Another Christchurch silversmith, Austrian-born Marcus Sandstein, was also successful at the 1879 Sydney Exhibition, winning a Second Degree of Merit for a silver epergne.