Ellis Finch
Head of Knightsbridge Silver Department
Lot 81AR
GERALD BENNEY: a rare pair of silver-gilt and enamelled pitchers London 1973, the bases with master enamellers mark AAE in an oval punch, for Alan Alfred Evans, stamped GERALD BENNEY LONDON, (2)
Amended
29 November 2022, 14:00 GMT
London, New Bond StreetSold for £12,750 inc. premium
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GERALD BENNEY: a rare pair of silver-gilt and enamelled pitchers
London 1973, the bases with master enamellers mark AAE in an oval punch, for Alan Alfred Evans, stamped GERALD BENNEY LONDON,
Translucent red enamelled hinged domed covers over a fine textured ground, with bodies with bark effect textured sides of broad baluster form, with cream enamelled loop handles, each with an engraved crest to the front with the head of St John the Baptist couped distilling drops of blood within a strap and buckle, initialled by the hinge mount script 'M L', height 25.5cm, weight total 89oz. (2)
Translucent red enamelled hinged domed covers over a fine textured ground, with bodies with bark effect textured sides of broad baluster form, with cream enamelled loop handles, each with an engraved crest to the front with the head of St John the Baptist couped distilling drops of blood within a strap and buckle, initialled by the hinge mount script 'M L', height 25.5cm, weight total 89oz. (2)
Footnotes
Please note one of the plaques has become detached and has revealled inlaid initials within the enamel. The plaque was applied over these initials.
Provenance
Sold Bonhams 12th October 2004, lot 128.
Gerald Benney decided that his home at Beenham House in Berkshire was the place to develop the use of enamels. The first steps were to travel to Zurich to find an enameller who worked for Burch Korrodi. By chance he came across the Norwegian Berger Bergensen who had worked for the House of Bolin as well as Burch. Bergensen was persuaded to come to Beenham House and taught the Benney workforce all he knew about enamelling. Alan Evans and Robert Winter became notable master enamellers for Benney.
It took several years to master the craft. He refined and mastered this art, enamelling larger surface areas than Fabergé.
ADRIAN GERALD SALLIS BENNEY CBE RDI (1930 – 2008)
Gerald Benney was one of the most outstanding goldsmiths of the 20th century, with works being continuously produced for over fifty years, from private commissions to mass production.
Born in Hull, Yorkshire in 1930. His mother Aileen was a talented silversmith and his father, Ernest, was Principal of Brighton College of Art. It was at Brighton College of Art between 1946-1948 that he trained as a silversmith under Dunstan Pruden. After two years national service with the Royal Army Service Corps he went to the Royal College of Art under Professor Robert Goodden. In his first year he was awarded a Prince of Wales scholarship.
As well as designs in silver, in his early years Benney also used other material to design a range of products including clocks, lamps and prams.
Benney found his first workshop at Suffolk House, Whitfield Place, off the Tottenham Court Road in London during his last term at the RCA. It was at the RCA that Benney met fellow silversmiths David Mellor and Robert Welch; between them they were to revolutionise post war silver design. At this time he also met the jeweller, John Donald.
Early in his career Benney discovered, by accident, the distinctive surface texturing of silver that was to become his signature. He inadvertently used a hammer with a damaged head while producing a cup, and liked the effect. This surface texturing soon became known as "Benney Bark Finish". The finish was widely imitated and dominated contemporary silver design for almost two decades. Its success was, not only, for its new contemporary look but also for the practical reasons, that it almost eliminated tarnish and fingerprints.
In 1963, Benney moved to Beenham House near Reading. It was here that he decided to develop the use of enamels. Starting in 1968 he revived the almost-lost art of enamelling, he went on to be one of the world's foremost modern enamellers. In 1969, he moved his London studio to Falcon Wharf, Bankside where he eventually employed 22 people.
In 1973 Benney moved his workshop to warehouses in Bear Lane, Southwark. Also in this year Goldsmith's Hall held a major retrospective of his work.
In 1974 he received his first Royal Warrant granted by The Queen, followed by another in 1975 by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. In 1980 a fourth Royal Warrant was granted from HRH The Prince of Wales. Becoming the first craftsman to hold four Royal Warrants simultaneously.
Benney's work can be seen in many collections worldwide, including those of the Victoria and Albert Museum and The Goldsmiths' Company.
Saleroom notices
Please note one of the plaques has become detached and has revealled inlaid initials within the enamel. The plaque was applied over these initials.
Additional information
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