The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1903-02-05

TWN"E
Since the Dunn-G ardpcr sale last
summer most people, says the Len
don Telegraph, have been aware Of
the great lengths that collectors viii
90 70 secure the possession Of some
old silver trophy, Ofcourse, the sill
yer craze 10 no new form Of the col
lecting maniA. For years previously
prices we're eteadily rising, and the
Dunn-G srdneE Dispersal simply pro-
vided en- opportunity Of giving auc-
ton sanction TO the standards that
have grown up in private deals. Re
Gently another confirmation was af-
tOrded. A short time ago an anony-
nous gentleman sent TO Christie's a
standing salt cellar and cover, dated
1877. and the experts Of the firm
quickly discemed its worth, ascrib-
ing the piece Of craft-only ~ inch
e high--to Thomas hampton, Of the
Falcon, the great Elizabethan smith.
Although there have been many
counter attractions in public places,
Christie's was crowded with represen-
tatives Of every section Of cOnnois-
ssurship when this superb example
was offered.
When Mr.. Anderson, the auction
eeg, called for the production Of the
lot q buzz Of admiration went round
the room. The suctioneers request
for q bid Of $1,000 to begin and next
for $500 vas met with the cry Of;
"0ne hundredr' Dealers dearly love
an affair Of outposts at the beginning,
and the big guns wait until the small
er competitors have exhausted them
selves. At Fl, 800 it was evident that
the affair was 20 resolve itself into a
duel between Mr.. Charles Werthei-
mer and Mr.. Lionel Crichton. When
e., 800 was reached Mr.. Wertheimer
openly declared that he had had
enough. So keen, however, are the
polemics Of auction that at e., 500 he
Weaved into the struggle again. Mr..
CriehtOn, s~teadfastly determined to
obtain the trophy, eOute que eoute,
also went on, and at 5000 silenced
the rest ofthe competition.
This is an extraordinary price to
pay. In the Dunn-G srdner sale the
Tudor cup for which the same pur-
chaser gave f4,100 worked out at
abOat f29o per ounce. After the sale
Mr.. Crichton had the salt cellar
weighed and informed our represen-
tstiTe that the silver in it was 81
ounces, which brings the price to
nearly f325 per ounce. OF course.
this 10 leaving ont Of the calculation
a Few ounces Of rock crystal, which
beautiHes the design considerably.
So much interest will be felt in this
remarkable example that a technical
description in detail Of it is worthsp-
pending.
1t Is composed Of three parts Of
silVsr-the base, capital and cover.
The central portion is ofrock crystal,
cylindrical in form and hollow, form
ing the receptacle for a small group,
alD Of silver gilt, representing Venus
holding aloft . laurel wreath, while
at her feet sport two Amorini. The
ends Of the crystal case are closed BY
the silver-gilt capital and base, con-
nected one 10 the other by delicate
bands shaped TO the outlines Of earya-
td figures. The base is rectangular,
having two friezes Of stamped classic
holdings and at the corners claws,
in which are fastened small balls Of
rock crystal, forming feet. The field
upon which the cylinders rest is CON
caVe in section, embossed and surface
chased with draped masks, strapwork
and groups Of flowers and fruit, the
groundwork being worked to a mat
ted surface. The capital isa like
form reversed, but the embossed
masks, etc. changed for a finely de-
signed nodded egg-and-tongue or
nament.
The receptacle for the salt l. con
Sex hsmisphericsl cavity, embossed
from q square-shaped plaque, the cor.
nsrs being engraved with scroll work
The cover is square shaped, with q
circular dome top, repousse and
chased with masks, strap work and
group Of fruit, the ground matted.
Above is q plaster form supporting
q small crystal ball, on which in turn
is fastened = small statuette ofanude
boy, holding bagpipes under his left
arm, his right foot resting upon a tree
stump; around the lover edge Of the
cover is spilled a cable pattern mold
ing, and At the four corners are riyet-
I'd small faested glass beads
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