By Elkington & Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
This remarkable antique silver gilt Warwick Vase and plinth by the famed Elkington & Co. is believed to have once been owned by Amir Habibullah Khan, the ruler of Afghanistan from 1901 to 1919. One of the most famous designs in classical silver, this vase exhibits exceptional chased, repoussé and cast details on par with exceptional Elkington craftsmanship. Its outstanding Bacchanalian motif is stunning, incorporating a border formed by grapevines sprouting from the vase’s two handles, Bacchic heads and artichoke wands, all set against the intricate lionskin apron. A beaded egg-and-dart trim and acanthus cardwork provide the perfect framework for this majestic artistry.
The vase's hedonistic motif is also believed to represent hospitality, making this form even more appropriate. It is said to have been a gift to the Amir for his continued close ties with the British throughout his reign, a trend that first began by his father Amir Abdur Rahman Khan. His efforts to increase the civility and strengthen ties between Afghanistan and the West were considered so impactful, that the Amir was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, and of the Order of the Bath.
The original Warwick Vase, a mammoth 10-foot ancient Roman urn owned by the Emperor Hadrian, was discovered by the antiquarian Gavin Hamilton at the bottom of Lake Tivoli, near the sight of Hadrian's Villa in Italy around 1771. It was once owned by Cardinal Albani and then sold to Sir William Hamilton, special counsel to Naples. Sir Hamilton in turn gave the vase to his nephew, George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick, who displayed it in a specially made conservatory of Warwick Castle in Warwickshire, England. Viewed as a survival from the classical world, the vase had a great influence on the evolution of English taste. Copies after it and derivations from it appeared throughout the 19th century in a variety of materials, of which the finest are those in silver by Paul Storr...
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British Elkington & Co. Jewelry & Watches